You may get a corneal flash burn when too much ultraviolet (UV) light shines on your cornea. Your cornea is a clear layer covering the front of your eyeball. A corneal flash burn is also called photokeratitis, snow blindness, arc eye, or welder's flash. UV light comes from the sun and contains energy. It may also come from bright man-made lights and tools. Your cornea may get burned if UV light shines too brightly on your eye.
You cannot see rays of UV light. Often you will not realize that your eye has been burned for many hours. The signs and symptoms of your corneal flash burn may disappear on their own after a few days. With treatment, you may have less pain, redness, or swelling. Treatment may also help decrease your risk of having other eye diseases or permanent eye damage.
What causes corneal flash burns? Anything that shines enough UV light may burn your cornea. Some causes of corneal flash burns include the following:
Sun: You may get a corneal flash burn when you look directly at the sun. You may also get a corneal flash burn if bright rays of sun shine on your eyes. The sun shines brighter at higher elevations. You are at a higher elevation when the ground is closer to the sun, like on a mountain.
Reflection: You may get a corneal flash burn when you are near snow, water, and sand. This is caused by rays of sunlight strongly reflecting (shining) off of them. Sun may also brightly reflect off of certain metals. If you get a corneal flash burn while snow skiing, it is called snow blindness. Water skiers may also get a corneal flash burn because of the sun reflecting off the water.
Tanning beds: Tanning beds may cause corneal flash burns because of the bright lights used to tan skin. Your cornea is more likely to be burned if you do not wear goggles while tanning.
Tools: Certain tools used for jobs like welding may cause corneal flash burns. Welding arc torches create sparks when using heat or pressure to join metal. These sparks can burn a welder's eyes if he does not wear proper eye protection. When a welder gets a corneal flash burn, it is called arc eye or welder's flash.
Lights: Certain kinds of lights may cause corneal flash burns. One type of light is a halogen light. Other lights that may cause corneal flash burns include lasers and lights that are used to kill germs. Bright signs and lamps used in lab or dental work may also cause a corneal flash burn.
What are the signs and symptoms of corneal flash burns? You may not have signs or symptoms until many hours after you were burned. You may have any of the following:
Your eyes feel tired or look red after being outdoors.
You have eye pain or it hurts to look at light.
Your eye feels like there is something in it, such as sand.
Your eye keeps leaking tears or discharge.
Your eyesight becomes worse.
Your eyeball looks hazy or cloudy.
Your eyelid is swollen or starts to twitch.
You have redness on the skin around your eye.
How are corneal flash burns diagnosed? Your caregiver will ask questions about your symptoms and when they started. He may ask when you have been in the sun or near bright lights. He may check your upper and lower eyelids. You may also need any of the following tests:
Slit-lamp test: This test uses a microscope with a strong light to look into your eyes. It is used to check the inside part of your eye and the area around it. This test may help your caregiver see damage to your eye.
Visual acuity test: This test will help your caregiver know if there has been a change in your vision. He may ask you to read an eye chart at different distances.
Eye stain test: This test uses a special dye and blue light. It may help your caregiver see if parts of your eye have been injured, such as your cornea.
How are corneal flash burns treated? If you have a corneal flash burn, your caregiver will treat your symptoms. Treatment may also help prevent more problems. Ask your caregiver for more information about treatments you may have.
Medicines:
Antibiotic medicine: This may be given as an eye drop or ointment. Antibiotic medicine helps prevent an infection caused by germs called bacteria.
Cycloplegic medicine: This is medicine to make your pupil larger. Your pupil is the black circle in the center of the front of your eyeball. Widening your pupil may help decrease your pain and stop your eye muscles from twitching.
Pain medicine: You may be given pain medicine as an eye drop, by mouth, or through an IV. An IV is a tube placed in your vein for giving medicine or liquids. This tube is capped or connected to tubing and liquid.
Sedative: A sedative medicine may be given to help you stay calm and relaxed.
Tetanus shot: This is medicine to keep you from getting tetanus. It is given as a shot. You should have a tetanus shot if you have not had one in the past 5 to 10 years. Your arm can get red, swollen, and sore after getting this shot.
Eye care:
Artificial tears: This medicine helps keep your eye moist. Artificial tears may also help prevent the inner part of your eyelid from sticking to your eye. You may be given artificial tears as an eye drop or as an ointment.
Eye patch: Your caregiver may place an eye patch or shield (plastic cover) over your eye. This may help keep your medicine against your eye. This may also help protect your eye from infection or another injury.
Surgery: You may need surgery if your corneal flash burn has caused severe (very bad) damage to your eye. During surgery, your caregiver may replace your damaged cornea with a new one.
How can I help prevent corneal flash burns?
Limit sunlight: Do not look directly at the sun. Avoid being out in the sun when sunlight is the strongest. You can be exposed to UV light even during cloudy days. Squinting or turning your face away from the sunlight may help decrease your risk. Ask your caregiver when you should avoid being outside.
Wear sunglasses: Wear glasses that protect your eyes from UV light. Check your sunglasses for a label that says it blocks 99 percent of UV light. Sunglasses should be large enough to cover your eyes and protect them from UV light, even from the side. Choose sunglasses with neutral or gray-colored lenses. Ask your caregiver which sunglasses are right for you.
Wear contacts with UV protection: If you wear contact lenses, ask your caregiver for contacts with UV protection.
Wear a hat: Wear a hat or a cap with a wide brim to help protect your eyes from sunlight.
Wear tanning bed goggles:Always use special goggles when using a tanning bed. Ask your caregiver which type of goggles is right for you.
Wear welding goggles and helmets: It is important to protect your eyes if you are a welder or work with other bright lights. Always wear goggles if you work with welding tools. You may also need to wear a helmet that protects your entire face. Ask your caregiver which type of eye protection is right for you. Ask your caregiver or employer for more information about protecting your eyes at work.
When should I call my caregiver? Call your caregiver if:
Your eyes feel tired or look red after being outdoors.
You have eye pain or it hurts to look at light.
Your eye feels like there is something in it, such as sand.
Your eye keeps leaking tears or discharge.
You have redness on the skin around your eye.
Your eyelid is swollen or your eyelid starts to twitch.
When should I seek immediate help? Seek care immediately or call 911 if:
Your eyeball looks hazy or cloudy.
Your eyesight suddenly becomes worse.
Where can I find more information? Contact the following:
American Academy of Ophthalmology 7424 San Francisco, CA 941207424 Phone: 1-415-5618500 Web Address: http://www.aao.org/
CARE AGREEMENT:
You have the right to help plan your care. To help with this plan, you must learn about your health condition and how it may be treated. You can then discuss treatment options with your caregivers. Work with them to decide what care may be used to treat you. You always have the right to refuse treatment.
The above information is an educational aid only. It is not intended as medical advice for individual conditions or treatments. Talk to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist before following any medical regimen to see if it is safe and effective for you.
