Photokeratitis: Can Your Eyes Get Sunburnt?

Learn about photokeratitis, the sunburn of the eyes, from our optometrist. Understand causes, symptoms, treatments, and prevention strategies.

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Photokeratitis: Can Your Eyes Get Sunburnt? in PRIMARYCITY

As an experienced optometrist at the esteemed Fargo, has often come across patients who were not aware that the sun could potentially harm their eyes. It's not widely known, but just as your skin can get sunburnt, so too can your eyes, this is especially true for children who are more susceptible to photokeratitis. This condition is called photokeratitis.

Protecting Your Child’s Eyes From The Sun

According to the World Health Organization, a child will have received 80% of their lifelong UV exposure from the sun by the age of 18. Children are more at risk due to the lack of filtering present in their eye, as well as the increased likelihood of them looking for extended periods of time in the sun. It is important to ensure that your child is wearing UV protection and understands the danger of excessive exposure to the sun.

What is Photokeratitis?

Photokeratitis is a condition that results from the eyes' overexposure to ultraviolet (UV) rays. In layman's terms, photokeratitis is akin to a sunburn but occurs in the eyes. Some might even call it a snow blindness, as it frequently happens in snowy environments where the UV rays reflect off the white surface and into the eyes. However, this doesn't mean it only happens in the snow. Photokeratitis can occur anywhere — even in CITY — as long as the eyes are exposed to intense UV radiation without appropriate protection.

What Causes Photokeratitis?

There are several causes that can lead to photokeratitis. The most common cause is, unsurprisingly, exposure to bright sunlight without wearing sunglasses or eyewear with UV protection.

Other photokeratitis causes may include:

Use of tanning beds without appropriate eye protection
Reflection of sunlight off water or snow
Certain types of light bulbs, such as halogen
Prolonged exposure to the sun during peak hours
Direct exposure to a solar eclipse without protective eyewear

What Are the Symptoms of Photokeratitis?

Recognizing the symptoms of photokeratitis can help you seek timely treatment and prevent potential permanent damage. Common symptoms include:

Redness in the eyes
A gritty feeling, as if there's sand in your eyes
Extreme sensitivity to light
Excessive tearing or watering of the eyes
Blurred vision or temporary vision loss
Swelling around the eyes

If you're experiencing these symptoms and suspect you might have photokeratitis, we advise you to seek immediate attention from our eye care professional.

Photokeratitis Treatment

Photokeratitis treatment primarily involves alleviating the symptoms and allowing the eyes to heal. This often includes:

Avoiding further exposure to sunlight or bright lights
Using cold compresses to soothe the eyes
Applying prescribed photokeratitis eye drops
In more severe cases, steroidal treatments to reduce inflammation
In more severe cases amniotic membranes may be recommended to promote healing

At our CITY eye care clinic, we specialize in diagnosing and treating photokeratitis. If you suspect you may have this condition, call us at 111-222-3333 immediately.

Photokeratitis Home Remedy

While seeking professional help is crucial, there are some photokeratitis home remedies you can try to alleviate discomfort:

Stay in a darkened room to rest your eyes
Use a cool, damp cloth over your eyes
Stay hydrated
Use over-the-counter lubricating eye drops

Remember, these remedies only help manage the discomfort and do not replace the need for professional medical intervention. If you or your loved one has symptoms following over exposure to bright light, call us at 111-222-3333 to schedule an emergency eye exam.

Is Photokeratitis Permanent?

One of the most common questions we get asked is, "Is photokeratitis permanent?" While it can cause severe discomfort, photokeratitis usually does not cause permanent damage. The cornea usually heals itself within 24 to 48 hours. However, repeated exposure leading to chronic photokeratitis can cause long-term damage and contribute to conditions like cataracts and macular degeneration.

Alternative Names for Photokeratitis

Photokeratitis is known by several alternative names, which often refer to the circumstances that typically cause the condition. Some of these include:

Snow Blindness: This term is used due to the common occurrence of photokeratitis in snowy environments, where UV rays reflect off the snow, causing intense exposure to the eyes.

Arc Eye: This term is often used in industrial settings, as it refers to photokeratitis caused by exposure to the intense light produced by welding arcs.

Ultraviolet Keratitis: This name refers directly to the cause of the condition, which is overexposure to UV (ultraviolet) radiation.

Welder's Flash or Welder's Burn: Similar to 'Arc Eye,' these terms are often used in the context of occupational exposure, specifically in welding, where workers may be exposed to high levels of UV light.

Remember, regardless of the term used, all these conditions refer to the same issue: damage to the cornea due to overexposure to UV light.

Common Questions

How long does photokeratitis last?

Photokeratitis typically lasts from 24 to 48 hours. The cornea, the part of the eye affected by this condition, has a remarkable ability to heal itself. However, during this period, it's essential to protect your eyes from further UV exposure and seek medical attention to manage the discomfort and ensure proper healing.

What does photokeratitis feel like?

The experience of photokeratitis can be quite uncomfortable. It feels like having sand in your eyes — a gritty, irritating sensation. Along with this, there might be excessive tearing, redness, and swelling around the eyes. It also leads to an extreme sensitivity to light and, in severe cases, temporary vision loss.

How do you diagnose photokeratitis?

Diagnosing photokeratitis involves a thorough examination by our eye doctor. They will assess your symptoms and may use a slit lamp microscope to inspect your corneas closely. They may also ask about your recent activities to identify potential UV exposure sources.

Can photokeratitis cause blindness?

Photokeratitis can lead to temporary vision loss or blurred vision, but it does not typically cause permanent blindness. However, repeated incidents of photokeratitis can contribute to long-term eye conditions that could impair vision over time, such as cataracts or macular degeneration.

Don't Ignore the Signs of Photokeratitis: Take Action for Your Eye Health Today

As an optometry clinic, we have seen first-hand the discomfort and risks that photokeratitis, or 'sunburn of the eyes', can bring. While typically not causing permanent damage, it can be extremely painful and uncomfortable, and repeated exposure can lead to long-term eye health issues.

If you're experiencing symptoms like redness, a gritty feeling in your eyes, sensitivity to light, or excessive tearing, don't delay seeking help. Reach out to us at 111-222-3333 today. We're here to protect your eyes and help you maintain your vision's health and quality. Because there's a whole world out there, and you deserve to see it clearly.

We're humbled and proud to serve as a foremost provider of thorough eye care services, addressing conditions like sunburnt eyes, for our patients across the entirety of STATE. We receive patients not only from our home city, CITY, but also from the wider regions of SECONDARY1, SECONDARY2, and SECONDARY3.

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