Photokeratitis (snow blindness, arc eye)

EBM Guidelines
Jan 26, 2024 • Latest change Jun 9, 2025
Matti Seppänen

Table of contents

Extract

  • Ultraviolet radiation may cause an acute keratitis (UV keratitis, photokeratitis, welder's eye, arc eye, snow blindness, photophthalmia).
  • Symptoms: severe pain, photophobia, sense of a foreign body in the eye 6–12 hours after the exposure; symptoms usually alleviate spontaneously within a few days.
  • Treatment consists of oral NSAIDs, ocular lubricant gels, antimicrobial ointment. Local anaesthetic eye drops are absolutely contraindicated in home use.
  • Staying in a dimly lit or dark room with eyes closed alleviates symptoms.

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Search terms

Cornea, H16.1, Occupational Diseases, Ophthalmology, Photophobia, UV light, UV radiation, Ultraviolet Rays, Welding, actinic keratoconjunctivitis, arc eye, keratitis, mountain blindness, ophthalmia, ophthalmia electrica, photophthalmia, snow blindness, ultraviolet keratoconjunctivitis, ultraviolet light, ultraviolet radiation, welder's arc, welder's flash