Zoas squirted me in the eye

jm82792 · 09/21/2009, 04:25 PM

After quickly fragging a zoa that wasn't doing so good and stupidly not wearing any eye protection that I usually do I got squirted(tiny droplet) in the eye.
It tingled for a half second and I ran off, rinsed my eye,
then put 2 different antibiotic and antiseptic eye drops that can be combined that are rather strong to kill any funky coral bacteria.

I think I'll be fine,
the palytoxin is what worries me but they were zoas not palys.

So has anybody been squirted in the eye before ?
Should I be worried ?

esco · 09/21/2009, 04:28 PM

i dunno, but it sounds dangerous to me man, you should go see an optometrist or opthamologist to be safe...

seapug · 09/21/2009, 04:30 PM

If you experience any burning sensation or nausea get yourself to a doctor right away.

styndall · 09/21/2009, 04:50 PM

Put your affairs in order, buy a nice bottle of wine, and wait for the end.

Actually, just keep an eye out for redness and irritation. I'd be more worried about myobacterium marinum than palyotoxin, which is not typically present in the sorts of creatures hobbyists keep. It's conceivable, though still fairly unlikely, that you'll antibiotics to take care of any infection. Just pay attention to your eye and go to the doctor if it gets red or aches.

lllosingit · 09/21/2009, 05:04 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by styndall

I'd be more worried about myobacterium marinum than palyotoxin, which is not typically present in the sorts of creatures hobbyists keep. It's conceivable, though still fairly unlikely, that you'll antibiotics to take care of any infection. Just pay attention to your eye and go to the doctor if it gets red or aches.

You might want to think again on that, There have been a few instances here on RC where people have poisoned themselves and there was a thread where a persons dog was killed by eating a frag that fell or was overlooked (don't remember).
Some may not be as toxic as others but there are plenty that can and will hurt you.
Just ask Steven Pro, Here is a link to a video series on aquarium safety. The link is to part 1 of 6 you should be able to find them pretty easily. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mCbxk5i4_W8

jm82792 · 09/21/2009, 05:05 PM

Other than that half second I feel perfectly fine.
I honestly doubt any optometrist would know what to do.

That is what I was thinking,
I rinsed it out,
it was zoas not the palys that have the most toxin and an infection wa my worry..

According to wikipedia they are strong medicines,
so I think I'm covered.

albano · 09/21/2009, 05:13 PM

sorry to change subject, but I was under impression that reef tanks were not legal in Hawaii...want, exactly, are you allowed to keep, there?

wrott · 09/21/2009, 05:19 PM

If you're not dead after 10-20 minutes, then you will be OK.
The toxin would be toxic for a short period if it ever entered your blood stream. Swimming on a reef w/ your eyes open for even a second would a far greater exposure.
I don't remember of anyone actually dying or positively diagnosed w/ palytoxin.(that dog drinking the water is coincidental at best)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Palytoxin

100%hydrophylic · 09/21/2009, 05:20 PM

lllosingit i read that thread and if i recall correctly there was some debate on whether or not the zoa toxins actually killed him or not. and id personally be more worried about bacterial infection that the palyotoxin. personally i think that palyotoxin can be compared to all the things that cause cancer in California. really? really? why is this paint known to the state of california to cause cancer? why only California.... well my point is, maybe somewhere a while back one person got poisoned doing something he shouldnt have. if palyotoxins were such a big problem then why do so many fish willingly eat polyps? back to the point......... just worry about infections. not palyotoxins

windlasher · 09/21/2009, 05:29 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by albano
sorry to change subject, but I was under impression that reef tanks were not legal in Hawaii...want, exactly, are you allowed to keep, there?

really?

albano · 09/21/2009, 05:46 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by windlasher
really?

REALLY, been there a few times, spoken to various people on 3 islands, always told that live rock and corals are a NO-NO. Don't know about zoas and inverts.

rkelman · 09/21/2009, 06:06 PM

"Put your affairs in order, buy a nice bottle of wine, and wait for the end."

Lol good one.

"REALLY, been there a few times, spoken to various people on 3 islands, always told that live rock and corals are a NO-NO. Don't know about zoas and inverts."

If that's the truth Dog the bounty hunter is in trouble.. He has a reef in his office. And its on TV regularly...

Seriously though about the eye. I wouldn't worry. I think you did everything you could and you'll be fine. I have had eye infections from getting water from my growout splashed in my eyes. They have been mild and barely irritating but I can see how it could happen...

VacavilleFC3S · 09/21/2009, 07:16 PM

taking coral and rocks is a no-no, but i'm pretty positive you can buy imported stuff at there LFS just like anywhere else

albano · 09/21/2009, 07:39 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by VacavilleFC3S
taking coral and rocks is a no-no, but i'm pretty positive you can buy imported stuff at there LFS just like anywhere else

I'm confident...ABSOLUTELY NOT...No coral is shipped there, they do not want any 'foreign species' in their waters. Maybe you've heard about Lionfish invading the carribean...well, thank God, someone has decided to protect 'Paradise'.

thegrun · 09/21/2009, 07:54 PM

Things are always brightest just before they go pitch black....

fasteddie99 · 09/21/2009, 08:17 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by thegrun
Things are always brightest just before they go pitch black....

Playa-1 · 09/21/2009, 08:27 PM

I would have to say to place your head firmly between your thighs and kiss your arse goodbye

It might be a good idea to consult a physician. Better safe then sorry.

Aqua Keepers · 09/21/2009, 09:04 PM

OMG, with in seconds your sight will be blurry. Followed by that, you will receive a slight tingle in you left nostril. This slight tingle will result in the loss of smell, but only on the left side. Then you will feel a thump in your temple. this thump will slowly grow more intense. It will become a pounding menace. Within minutes you will feel some numbness in your fingers. This numbness will traval through your body and ultimately result in impotence.

njdevilsfan · 09/21/2009, 10:49 PM

i would watch for vision distrubances
the eye is the sortest path to the brian
so if you have problems understanding things
or reading things
hver surye hrta ieeekrtjs heeywtq jkaiiok !!!!!!!!!!!!
hsywb js

jm82792 · 09/21/2009, 11:06 PM

Well I'm fine.
My eye is totally normal and I'm going to buy a full face shield,
gloves and be extremely careful.

That would have been terrible I was was blinded,
I mean I was told you can never drive since your missing half your optic nerves(not to mention the doctors at UCLA when I was younger telling me it was all in my head, probably trying to cover they're backsides) then recently, when i turned 17 the ophthalmologist told me he will sign me off so I can get my license.

Corals are legal(just zoas and palys),
they don't want any of the nonnative stuff in here.
They allow fish, can't poisonous and have some other uncommon property.
I like zoas and palys but they aren't that easy to keep and if it was my choice I'd do SPS and LPS, bu that's not the case.

I dislike the law about you can't take SPS for the water,
I mean no tiny 1 SPS frags even if I payed the state money ?

Ah well be happy I have access to what I've got

Aqua Keepers · 09/21/2009, 11:32 PM

Can you retype that???
Looks like jibberrish to me

thebanker · 09/22/2009, 01:06 AM

What if you came out of the water after a snorkeling jaunt, and somehow a perfect little acro frag got stuck inside your plastic baggie-lined bathing suit pocket, which accidentally sealed itself and eventually ended up in your reef tank?

I mean, if it were all an accident, it's not illegal right?

albano · 09/22/2009, 07:15 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by jm82792
Corals are legal(just zoas and palys),
they don't want any of the nonnative stuff in here.
They allow fish, can't poisonous and have some other uncommon property.
I like zoas and palys but they aren't that easy to keep and if it was my choice I'd do SPS and LPS, but that's not the case.

Glad your eye is fine...and thanks for commenting on my post...you can't believe how many people think I'm crazy, when I tell them about a 'reef tank' ban in Hawaii., everyone expects the pet stores there, to be filled with corals for sale! Enjoy what you've got, wish I could dive in and get a flame wrasse or black tang, for FREE!

Octoberfest · 09/22/2009, 07:20 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by albano
I'm confident...ABSOLUTELY NOT...No coral is shipped there, they do not want any 'foreign species' in their waters. Maybe you've heard about Lionfish invading the carribean...well, thank God, someone has decided to protect 'Paradise'.

Lionfish have gotten a LOT further than the caribean, we are being overran with them here in North Carolina and have been for a few years.

albano · 09/22/2009, 08:31 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Octoberfest
Lionfish have gotten a LOT further than the caribean, we are being overran with them here in North Carolina and have been for a few years.

Yes, I've been told we have them here in Long Island Sound and even farther north...just wanted to get the general idea out there, in regard to non-native species problems.

09/21/2009, 04:25 PM	#1
jm82792 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Big Island Hawaii Posts: 81	Zoas squirted me in the eye After quickly fragging a zoa that wasn't doing so good and stupidly not wearing any eye protection that I usually do I got squirted(tiny droplet) in the eye. It tingled for a half second and I ran off, rinsed my eye, then put 2 different antibiotic and antiseptic eye drops that can be combined that are rather strong to kill any funky coral bacteria. I think I'll be fine, the palytoxin is what worries me but they were zoas not palys. So has anybody been squirted in the eye before ? Should I be worried ?

09/21/2009, 04:28 PM	#2
esco Registered Member Join Date: May 2004 Location: Southern California Posts: 388	i dunno, but it sounds dangerous to me man, you should go see an optometrist or opthamologist to be safe... __________________ -- Daniel -- Current Tank Info: 125G Cubish, ELOS Mini

09/21/2009, 04:30 PM	#3
seapug Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: 4980 ft. Posts: 7,954 Blog Entries: 1	If you experience any burning sensation or nausea get yourself to a doctor right away. __________________ insert clever saying here. Current Tank Info: 200 gallon custom Marineland DD peninsular tank. LPS dominated mixed reef. Previous 90 gallon mixed reef TOTM April 2009.

09/21/2009, 05:19 PM	#8
wrott Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Alabama Posts: 2,912	If you're not dead after 10-20 minutes, then you will be OK. The toxin would be toxic for a short period if it ever entered your blood stream. Swimming on a reef w/ your eyes open for even a second would a far greater exposure. I don't remember of anyone actually dying or positively diagnosed w/ palytoxin.(that dog drinking the water is coincidental at best) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Palytoxin __________________ OK, but where does the meat go! ------------------------------------------------ 120g SPS, 125g mix, 56g FOWLR, 20g qt

09/21/2009, 05:20 PM	#9
100%hydrophylic Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: GA Posts: 1,636	lllosingit i read that thread and if i recall correctly there was some debate on whether or not the zoa toxins actually killed him or not. and id personally be more worried about bacterial infection that the palyotoxin. personally i think that palyotoxin can be compared to all the things that cause cancer in California. really? really? why is this paint known to the state of california to cause cancer? why only California.... well my point is, maybe somewhere a while back one person got poisoned doing something he shouldnt have. if palyotoxins were such a big problem then why do so many fish willingly eat polyps? back to the point......... just worry about infections. not palyotoxins __________________ :) Current Tank Info: 75g mixed reef, 28g nano SPS

09/21/2009, 04:50 PM	#4
styndall Registered Member Join Date: May 2007 Posts: 282	Put your affairs in order, buy a nice bottle of wine, and wait for the end. Actually, just keep an eye out for redness and irritation. I'd be more worried about myobacterium marinum than palyotoxin, which is not typically present in the sorts of creatures hobbyists keep. It's conceivable, though still fairly unlikely, that you'll antibiotics to take care of any infection. Just pay attention to your eye and go to the doctor if it gets red or aches.

09/21/2009, 05:05 PM	#6
jm82792 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Big Island Hawaii Posts: 81	Other than that half second I feel perfectly fine. I honestly doubt any optometrist would know what to do. That is what I was thinking, I rinsed it out, it was zoas not the palys that have the most toxin and an infection wa my worry.. According to wikipedia they are strong medicines, so I think I'm covered.

09/21/2009, 05:13 PM	#7
albano SALTWATER since '73 Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Katonah, NY/ San Fernando Ca./ Sea Isle City NJ Posts: 6,210	sorry to change subject, but I was under impression that reef tanks were not legal in Hawaii...want, exactly, are you allowed to keep, there?

09/21/2009, 06:06 PM	#12
rkelman Registered Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Belleville, Ontario Canada Posts: 3,438	"Put your affairs in order, buy a nice bottle of wine, and wait for the end." Lol good one. "REALLY, been there a few times, spoken to various people on 3 islands, always told that live rock and corals are a NO-NO. Don't know about zoas and inverts." If that's the truth Dog the bounty hunter is in trouble.. He has a reef in his office. And its on TV regularly... Seriously though about the eye. I wouldn't worry. I think you did everything you could and you'll be fine. I have had eye infections from getting water from my growout splashed in my eyes. They have been mild and barely irritating but I can see how it could happen...

09/21/2009, 07:16 PM	#13
VacavilleFC3S Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Vacaville California Posts: 2,613	taking coral and rocks is a no-no, but i'm pretty positive you can buy imported stuff at there LFS just like anywhere else

09/21/2009, 07:54 PM	#15
thegrun Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Garden Grove, Ca Posts: 17,023	Things are always brightest just before they go pitch black....

09/21/2009, 08:27 PM	#17
Playa-1 Moved On Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Laguna Niguel, CA Posts: 7,497	I would have to say to place your head firmly between your thighs and kiss your arse goodbye It might be a good idea to consult a physician. Better safe then sorry.

09/21/2009, 09:04 PM	#18
Aqua Keepers Moved On Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Clearwater,Fl Posts: 2,915	OMG, with in seconds your sight will be blurry. Followed by that, you will receive a slight tingle in you left nostril. This slight tingle will result in the loss of smell, but only on the left side. Then you will feel a thump in your temple. this thump will slowly grow more intense. It will become a pounding menace. Within minutes you will feel some numbness in your fingers. This numbness will traval through your body and ultimately result in impotence.

09/21/2009, 10:49 PM	#19
njdevilsfan Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: texas Posts: 658	i would watch for vision distrubances the eye is the sortest path to the brian so if you have problems understanding things or reading things hver surye hrta ieeekrtjs heeywtq jkaiiok !!!!!!!!!!!! hsywb js __________________ SOME PEOPLE ARE LIKE SLINKIES - NOT REALLY GOOD FOR ANYTHING BUT THEY BRING A SMILE TO YOUR FACE WHEN PUSHED DOWN THE STAIRS Current Tank Info: 210lps,75anemone,60frag,20

09/21/2009, 11:06 PM	#20
jm82792 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Big Island Hawaii Posts: 81	Well I'm fine. My eye is totally normal and I'm going to buy a full face shield, gloves and be extremely careful. That would have been terrible I was was blinded, I mean I was told you can never drive since your missing half your optic nerves(not to mention the doctors at UCLA when I was younger telling me it was all in my head, probably trying to cover they're backsides) then recently, when i turned 17 the ophthalmologist told me he will sign me off so I can get my license. Corals are legal(just zoas and palys), they don't want any of the nonnative stuff in here. They allow fish, can't poisonous and have some other uncommon property. I like zoas and palys but they aren't that easy to keep and if it was my choice I'd do SPS and LPS, bu that's not the case. I dislike the law about you can't take SPS for the water, I mean no tiny 1 SPS frags even if I payed the state money ? Ah well be happy I have access to what I've got Last edited by jm82792; 09/21/2009 at 11:18 PM.

09/21/2009, 11:32 PM	#21
Aqua Keepers Moved On Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Clearwater,Fl Posts: 2,915	Can you retype that??? Looks like jibberrish to me

09/22/2009, 01:06 AM	#22
thebanker Moved On Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Socal Posts: 2,315	What if you came out of the water after a snorkeling jaunt, and somehow a perfect little acro frag got stuck inside your plastic baggie-lined bathing suit pocket, which accidentally sealed itself and eventually ended up in your reef tank? I mean, if it were all an accident, it's not illegal right?