Photokeratitis

Photokeratitis, commonly known as 'welder's flash', 'snow blindness', or 'arc eye', is a painful eye condition caused by overexposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation. It is essentially a sunburn of the cornea and conjunctiva. This typically happens from exposure to sunlight reflected off snow, water, or sand, or from artificial UV sources such as welding arcs, tanning beds, or halogen lamps. Symptoms can include severe pain, blurred vision, excessive tearing, light sensitivity (photophobia), and a gritty sensation in the eyes. The severity varies based on the intensity and duration of exposure. Prompt treatment includes pain relief, lubricants, and possibly antibiotics to prevent secondary infections.

Photokeratitis meaning with examples

• After spending the day skiing without proper eye protection, Sarah woke up with severe photokeratitis. Her eyes were incredibly painful, and she struggled to even open them because of the bright light. She immediately sought medical attention for relief, and followed medical advice to help with recovery.
• The construction crew working on the bridge were diligent about wearing safety goggles because they understood the risk of developing Photokeratitis from the intense welding arcs. The welders made sure to take breaks and keep their eye protection in optimal condition to prevent any damage to their eyes.
• During a summer vacation at the beach, several tourists suffered from Photokeratitis after prolonged exposure to the sun's rays reflecting off the ocean. Despite warnings about wearing sunglasses, some tourists took the risk of staying out in the sun for too long without adequate protection, leading to eye discomfort and problems.
• A group of teenagers were warned of the risks of tanning beds. Despite the warnings, one went anyway and after using a tanning bed for an extended period without proper eye protection, he developed Photokeratitis, experiencing intense pain and vision problems. He learned a hard lesson about the dangers.