R R

What Is Solar Keratitis?

This term is a synonym for Photokeratitis or "eye sunburn." It is an acute, painful inflammation and damage to the corneal epithelium (the outermost layer) caused by excessive, unprotected exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation.

Link to This Resource Page

Provide a valuable resource to your clients or customers by linking to this resource page. Just place the following link on your website.

To display this...

What Is Solar Keratitis?

This term is a synonym for Photokeratitis or "eye sunburn." It is an acute, painful inflammation and damage to the corneal epithelium (the outermost layer) caused by excessive, unprotected exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation.

read more about solar keratitis ...

Copy this HTML:

Copy HTML Copied!

Source of UV

Common sources include intense reflection off snow ("snow blindness"), exposure from welding arcs without proper shielding ("welder's flash"), or exposure to commercial sunlamps.

Symptom Onset

Symptoms are typically delayed by 6 to 12 hours after exposure and include severe eye pain, foreign body sensation, intense light sensitivity (photophobia), and tearing.

Healing

The corneal epithelium is capable of rapid healing, and the condition usually resolves completely within 24 to 72 hours with supportive treatment (cool compresses, pain relief).

Is it contagious?

No. It is a sterile inflammatory response to a chemical/radiation burn, not an infection.

Can it be prevented?

Yes. Wearing $100\%$ UV-blocking, wrap-around sunglasses and UV-protected safety goggles during high-risk activities provides complete prevention.

Why is it more common in snow?

Fresh snow can reflect up to $80\%$ of incident UV radiation, dramatically increasing the dose of exposure to the eyes.