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UV injury to the cornea (photokeratitis)

An injury to the cornea caused by intense light is called photokeratitis. It usually results from ultraviolet light, for example welding without proper protection, strong sunlight reflected from water or snow, or sometimes a sunbed or UV lamp. Pain often starts hours later and commonly affects both eyes at once. Rest, avoiding contact lenses and medical assessment for severe symptoms are important.

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  • Photokeratitis results from too much UV light in a short time.
  • Pain often develops later, rather than always during exposure.
  • Symptoms often affect both eyes at the same time.
  • Welding without proper protection and strong sunlight reflected from snow or water are classic causes.
  • Persistent blurred vision, pus or symptoms clearly affecting one eye need further assessment.

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Further reading

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Red eyeA red eye is a symptom with many causes. Itching or discharge is often harmless, but pain, sensitivity to light, worsening vision, contact lens use, an abnormal pupil, a newborn baby or an eye injury requires prompt assessment.
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Foreign body in the eyeA loose speck of dust can often be removed by blinking and plenty of clean water, but a splinter can scratch the cornea, become embedded or penetrate the eyeball at high speed. Do not rub, use tweezers or press on the eye. Reduced vision, severe pain, sensitivity to light, a distorted pupil, a visibly embedded object or a metal-on-metal injury requires immediate ophthalmic assessment.