Do not wear protective masks

Recently, Master Xu from Jinhua's Licheng District, along with his wife, rushed to Jinhua Eye Hospital for emergency care.

A maintenance worker by profession, Master Xu had just finished his shift in the afternoon when he noticed a small issue with a machine that required welding. A colleague reminded him to wear a protective mask, but Master Xu dismissed the warning, thinking it would be quick and not worth the extra effort. Without any protection, he started welding immediately.

By 10 p.m., after turning off the TV and going to bed, Master Xu suddenly experienced severe eye pain, sensitivity to light, headaches, and redness in his eyes. Panicked, his wife quickly took him to Jinhua Eye Hospital for urgent treatment.

Upon examination, doctors diagnosed Master Xu with photokeratitis, also known as "electric ophthalmia." This condition is an acute inflammation of the cornea and conjunctiva caused by excessive exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation.

According to Li Tian, director of the hospital’s inpatient department, photokeratitis is commonly referred to as UV eye injury. It occurs when the eyes are exposed to high levels of UV rays without proper protection. Natural environments such as high altitudes, glaciers, snowfields, and deserts can reflect intense UV light, increasing the risk of eye damage. In industrial settings, welding or gas cutting without protective eyewear can expose the eyes to harmful UV rays emitted during the arc.

After UV exposure, symptoms typically appear 6 to 8 hours later, which is called the incubation period. During this time, UV rays damage the corneal and conjunctival cells, leading to cell death and shedding. Symptoms include a foreign body sensation, severe eye pain, eyelid swelling, sensitivity to light, tearing, and a burning feeling on the face. The eyes may become red and inflamed, with flaky or patchy corneal epithelium. The longer the exposure, the more severe the damage. Because the corneal nerve endings become exposed, the pain becomes more intense. These symptoms usually last 6 to 8 hours before gradually improving, with full recovery taking about 2 to 3 days.

Li Tian advised that after experiencing photokeratitis, patients should apply a cold, damp towel over their closed eyes, rest in a dimly lit room, and avoid moving their eyes excessively to reduce irritation. Using antibiotic eye drops or ointments can help prevent infection, while epidermal growth factor drops and artificial tears can aid in healing the corneal epithelium.

He also reminded that most cases recover within 1 to 3 days without causing long-term damage. However, repeated or prolonged exposure to UV rays can lead to chronic conditions like blepharitis. Therefore, it is crucial to always protect the eyes when working with UV sources.

China Labor Insurance Network