Corneal Flash Burns

WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW:

• You may get a corneal flash burn when too much ultraviolet (UV) light shines on your cornea. Your cornea is a clear layer covering the front of your eyeball. A corneal flash burn is also called photokeratitis, snow blindness, arc eye, or welder's flash. Your cornea may get burned if UV light shines too brightly on your eye. UV light comes from the sun and contains energy. Your cornea may get burned from man-made lights and tools, such as tanning beds and welder's torches. Your cornea may also get burned when the sun reflects off of surfaces like snow, water, or sand.
  
  
• After a corneal flash burn, your eyes may feel tired or look red. Your eyes may be watery or feel like there is something in them. You may have eye pain or it may hurt to look at light. These signs and symptoms may disappear on their own after a few days. Your caregiver may test your eyes to look for eye damage or changes to your vision. Your caregiver may treat your symptoms with medicine, eye care, or surgery. With treatment, you may have less pain, redness, or swelling. Treatment may also help decrease your risk of having other eye diseases or permanent eye damage.

INSTRUCTIONS:

Take your medicine as directed:

Call your primary healthcare provider if you think your medicine is not working as expected. Tell him if you are allergic to any medicine. Keep a current list of the medicines, vitamins, and herbs you take. Include the amounts, and when, how, and why you take them. Take the list or the pill bottles to follow-up visits. Carry your medicine list with you in case of an emergency. Throw away old medicine lists.

• Antibiotic medicine: Antibiotic medicine is given to fight or prevent infection caused by bacteria. This medicine may be given as an eye drop or ointment. Always take your antibiotics exactly as ordered by your caregiver. Keep using this medicine until it is completely gone, even if you feel better. Stopping antibiotics without your caregiver's OK may make the medicine unable to kill all of the germs. Never "save" antibiotics or take leftover antibiotics that were given to you for another illness.
  
  
• Pain medicine: You may need medicine to take away or decrease pain.
  
  
  • Learn how to take your medicine. Ask what medicine and how much you should take. Be sure you know how, when, and how often to take it.
    
    
  • Do not wait until the pain is severe before you take your medicine. Tell caregivers if your pain does not decrease.
    
    
  • Pain medicine can make you dizzy or sleepy. Prevent falls by calling someone when you get out of bed or if you need help.

Ask for information about where and when to go for follow-up visits:

For continuing care, treatments, or home services, ask for more information.

• You may need to see your caregiver for follow-up visits. Remember any new symptoms that you have and tell them to your caregiver. Symptoms may include eye pain, redness, or swelling. Tell your caregiver if you have had any changes in your eyesight. Your caregiver will check your vision during your follow-up visits. He may examine your eye closely using an eye microscope. This microscope is a tool that allows your caregiver to see clearer images of your eye.
  
  

Wearing an eye patch:

Your caregiver may place an eye patch or shield (plastic cover) over your eye. This may help keep your medicine against your eye. This may also help protect your eye from infection or another injury. Follow your caregiver's instructions about when it is OK to remove your eye patch.

Preventing corneal flash burns:

• Limit sunlight: Do not look directly at the sun. Avoid being out in the sun when sunlight is the strongest. You can be exposed to UV light even during cloudy days. Squinting or turning your face away from the sunlight may help decrease your risk. Ask your caregiver when you should avoid being outside.
  
  
• Wear sunglasses: Wear glasses that protect your eyes from UV light. Check your sunglasses for a label that says it blocks 99 percent of UV light. Your sunglasses should be large enough to cover your eyes. Sunglasses should be wide enough to protect your eyes from UV light even from the side. Choose sunglasses with neutral or gray-colored lenses. Ask your caregiver what sunglasses will be right for you.
  
  
• Wear contacts with UV protection: If you wear contact lenses, ask your caregiver for contacts with UV protection.
  
  
• Wear a hat: Use a hat or a cap with a wide brim to protect your eyes from sunlight.
  
  
• Wear tanning bed goggles: Always use special goggles when using a tanning bed. Ask your caregiver which type of goggles is right for you.
  
  
• Wear welding goggles and helmets: It is important to protect your eyes if you are a welder or work with other bright lights. Always wear goggles if you work with welding tools. You may also need to wear a helmet that protects your entire face. Ask your caregiver which type of eye protection is right for you. Ask your caregiver or employer for more information about protecting your eyes at work.

CONTACT A CAREGIVER IF:

• Your eyes feel tired or look red after being outdoors.
  
  
• You have eye pain or it hurts to look at light.
  
  
• Your eye feels like there is something in it, like sand.
  
  
• Your eye keeps leaking tears or discharge.
  
  
• You have redness on the skin around your eye.
  
  
• Your eyelid is swollen or your eyelid starts to twitch.
  
  
• You have questions or concerns about your condition, treatment, or care.

SEEK CARE IMMEDIATELY IF:

• Your eyeball looks hazy or cloudy.
  
  
• Your eyesight suddenly becomes worse.

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The above information is an educational aid only. It is not intended as medical advice for individual conditions or treatments. Talk to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist before following any medical regimen to see if it is safe and effective for you.

Learn more about Corneal Flash Burns (Aftercare Instructions)