| disease | UV Damage |
| alias | Ultraviolet Keratitis, Photophthalmia, Ultraviolet Injuries of the Eye |
Ultraviolet injuries of the eye are electrical injuries. They originate from natural light sources, such as high-altitude and snowy regions, as well as artificial sources like electric welding arcs, mercury vapor arcs, and tungsten arcs. The biological effects of ultraviolet radiation involve photoelectric generation and transformation reactions, initially causing protein denaturation, followed by protein coagulation.
bubble_chart Etiology
Electronic ophthalmia (photophthalmia), also known as ultraviolet keratitis, accounts for 2% of eye injuries. It is commonly seen in metal welders, film workers under mercury lamps, as well as those exposed to ultraviolet lamps or atomic bomb explosions. It can result from direct or indirect exposure. Symptoms typically appear 6 to 10 hours after cumulative exposure exceeding 15 minutes within a day. Affected individuals often experience onset late at night after working during the day. No cumulative effect is observed after 24 hours.
bubble_chart Clinical Manifestations
Initially, there is eye irritation and a foreign body sensation, which gradually worsens, leading to eyelid spasms, severe pain, photophobia, and tearing. Side effects may include scotomas, erythropsia, or xanthopsia.
Signs: In severe cases, the facial and eyelid skin becomes flushed, the conjunctiva is congested, and fluorescein staining of the cornea reveals diffuse punctate staining. Corneal sensation decreases, and the pupils exhibit spasmodic constriction. Symptoms generally resolve within 2 to 3 days.
bubble_chart Treatment Measures
Treatment Methods: Mainly symptomatic treatment.
1. Apply 0.5% to 1% dicaine solution or other topical anesthetics as eye drops or subconjunctival injection.
2. After the above treatment, apply antibiotic eye ointment, bandage both eyes, and administer sedatives and sleeping pills. Generally, symptoms disappear or alleviate after several hours of rest, after which colored glasses should be worn.3. For severe cases where symptoms reappear after a few hours, repeat the above treatment once. A few severe patients may exhibit symptoms of iritis and can be treated with tropicamide eye drops, or atropine if necessary.
Strengthen labor protection publicity and education. Workers in places with ultraviolet radiation should wear protective goggles, such as slit goggles, light gray glasses, or GR-39 optical resin lenses.
