The painful sensation often described as burnt eyes from welding is medically known as photokeratitis, commonly referred to as welder’s flash or arc eye. This condition is essentially a sunburn of the eye, specifically affecting the cornea, the clear, dome-shaped outer layer at the front of the eye. It is caused by unprotected exposure to the intense ultraviolet (UV) radiation emitted by a welding arc. The UV rays damage the epithelial cells, leading to the delayed onset of symptoms, typically several hours after exposure. While the pain can be severe, photokeratitis is nearly always temporary, with the cornea healing completely within 24 to 48 hours.
Immediate Steps for Relief (First Aid)
Upon recognizing symptoms, immediately move away from the light source and into a dark or dimly lit environment. Light sensitivity, or photophobia, is a prominent symptom, and reducing light exposure minimizes discomfort and eye strain. If you wear contact lenses, remove them immediately, as they can trap debris or interfere with corneal healing.
Gently flush the eyes with cool, clean water or a sterile saline solution for several minutes to wash away any potential foreign debris. Resist the urge to rub your eyes, which is a natural reaction to the gritty sensation accompanying photokeratitis. Rubbing worsens the damage to the compromised corneal epithelium, potentially leading to a severe abrasion.
Applying a cold compress to the closed eyelids provides immediate relief from the burning sensation and swelling. This initial supportive care protects the eye from further injury until the epithelial cells begin repair. Since symptoms may not appear until 6 to 12 hours after exposure, these steps are beneficial even before the full extent of the pain is felt.
Comfort Measures and At-Home Care
After immediate first aid, focus shifts to sustained comfort measures supporting the natural healing process over the next one to two days. A cold compress, such as a cold, wet washcloth or a bag of frozen vegetables wrapped in a clean cloth, can be applied to the closed eyes for periods of 5 to 10 minutes. The cooling effect helps reduce inflammation and soothe the intense irritation caused by exposed nerve endings in the damaged cornea.
Lubricating eye drops, specifically over-the-counter artificial tears, are recommended to provide a soothing, moist layer over the injured cornea. Using preservative-free artificial tears is preferable, as preservatives can cause additional irritation to a sensitive eye surface. Applying these drops frequently, perhaps every hour or two while awake, helps alleviate the characteristic gritty feeling.
For managing pain, common over-the-counter oral pain relievers are effective. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like ibuprofen or simple analgesics like acetaminophen reduce both pain and any associated headache. Continuing to rest in a dark room is paramount, but if moving around is necessary, wearing dark sunglasses, even indoors, reduces discomfort from light sensitivity. The corneal epithelium regenerates quickly, and most photokeratitis symptoms resolve completely within 48 hours with proper supportive care.
When Professional Medical Care is Essential
While most cases of welder’s flash resolve quickly with at-home care, certain symptoms are warning signs that require prompt professional medical attention from an eye doctor. Seek care if intense pain is not relieved by over-the-counter medication or if blurry vision persists beyond 48 hours. Any visible change to the eye, such as cloudiness over the cornea or a discharge of pus, suggests a secondary issue like an infection may be developing.
The persistent feeling that something is embedded in the eye, despite flushing, also warrants an examination to rule out a retained foreign body that could cause further damage. During the professional examination, a doctor may use a special dye called fluorescein to highlight the extent of the corneal damage under a specialized blue light. Treatment administered by a medical professional often includes prescription eye drops to manage symptoms and speed recovery.
Prescription options include cycloplegic eye drops, which temporarily paralyze the ciliary muscle to reduce painful spasms and allow the eye to rest. Antibiotic eye drops are often given as a preventative measure to ward off infection, since the compromised corneal surface is more vulnerable to bacteria. Although less common than in the past, a doctor might apply a pressure patch to immobilize the eyelid and promote healing in severe cases. Only a medical professional can accurately assess the severity of the injury and provide the necessary treatment to ensure the eye heals without long-term complications.