Photokeratitis is a painful sunburn of the corneal epithelium caused by intense UV exposure. It is also known as “snow blindness” or “welder’s flash”.
Symptoms and causes
Symptoms typically appear several hours after exposure.
- Severe eye pain, redness, tearing, and eyelid swelling
- Blurred vision and marked light sensitivity
- Caused by reflection from snow, water, sand, or unprotected arc welding
- Multiple punctate epithelial defects visible on fluorescein staining
Treatment
The condition is usually self-limiting as the cornea heals.
- Lubricating drops or ointment and oral pain relief
- Short-term antibiotic drops if surface disruption is significant
- Avoidance of contact lenses until fully healed
- Prevention with proper UV-blocking eyewear and welding shields
