Have you ever been to a welding shop or a beach on a hot day and your eyes were red, watery, and felt like sand had gotten into your eyes? You may have suffered from a corneal flash burn. Don't worry, let's talk about it in detail.
Simply put, corneal flash burns are injuries to the cornea of your eyes, similar to sunburn. The cornea is the transparent, small, ball-shaped protective membrane at the front of the eye that covers the pupil and the colored part inside (iris). So, if your eyes are not properly protected, there is a high chance of injury to the cornea. Often, these burns affect both eyes at once.
What are the types of corneal flash burns?
There are mainly two types of burns:
1. Burns caused by ultraviolet (UV) rays: UV rays are a type of light that we cannot see. This is similar to the skin burning that occurs when you go out in the sun without sunglasses. Doctors also call this UV photokeratitis . There are several artificial sources of UV rays that we encounter in our daily lives.
2. Thermal burns: These are burns caused by heat. These burns can occur when the eye is exposed to a sudden amount of heat for a short period of time. The burn can become more severe as the heat increases, or as you get closer to the heat.
This condition is actually quite common. Burns caused by heat are the most common. However, some of the activities you do or the places you are in can also increase your risk of getting a burn from UV rays.
What are the symptoms of this?
Regardless of the type of corneal burn, the symptoms are largely the same. They are:
- Eye pain: This can be unbearable at times.
- Photophobia: It's like being unable to look at a light.
- Tears flowing from the eyes (Epiphora): Tears just come out.
- Decreased or blurred vision.
- Swelling of the white of the eye (Chemosis).
- Frequent twitching of the eyelids, as if blinking (Blepharospasm).
- A burning sensation in the eyes.
But remember, once a burn is caused by UV rays, it can take anywhere from half an hour to 12 hours for symptoms to appear.
How do these burns occur?
The causes may vary depending on whether these burns are caused by UV rays or a heat source.
Due to UV rays (UV flash burns)
- Reflected sunlight: This is a major cause.
- In areas with snow and ice: Most of the light falling on snow and ice is reflected back. This is also called "snow blindness". (Although this is not common for us in Sri Lanka, it is good to be aware of it).
- Near large bodies of water: In places like the sea and large lakes, a lot of light is reflected off the surface of the water. If you spend a lot of time in such places, especially on the beach, without eye protection, you are at risk. Imagine, if you go to the beach with your friends and play all day without sunglasses, your eyes may be red and painful when you come home in the evening.
- Artificial UV sources:
- Welding torch: This can happen especially when arc welding. Some people call this condition 'welder's eye' or 'arc eye'. This is why it is said not to look directly at the light when welding.
- Tanning beds: These are devices that emit UV rays that are used to change the color of the skin (tan). If you don't cover your eyes, this can burn your cornea. (But remember, experts say that using tanning beds is not very good for your health.)
- UV sterilizers: While these can kill germs, they can burn your eyes if used incorrectly.
- Faulty high-voltage halogen light bulbs: If these bulbs, which are used in places like large halls and stadiums, explode, they can cause eye damage even if you are not nearby.
Due to heat (Thermal flash burns)
This can be caused by sudden fires or even small explosions. Think of things like this:
- Fireworks: Even small firecrackers can cause this if used incorrectly. You need to be very careful when lighting such firecrackers during the New Year and Vesak periods. Sometimes, even if a firecracker goes too close to your eyes, the heat can burn your cornea.
- Flammable and explosive materials: Gasoline, thinner, and kerosene can ignite or explode if left near sparks or open flames. If you are too close to the fire or if an explosion occurs, your eyes can be burned.
- Misuse or accidents of explosive gases: When using a gas stove, sometimes if the gas leaks and accumulates, it can catch fire and explode. If a sudden fire occurs near a gas stove while gardening, the heat can also cause burns like this. Even medical oxygen (Medical Oxygen) has this risk if it is used in high concentrations.
What complications can this cause?
These corneal burns can easily lead to infections in your eyes. This condition can also worsen and lead to things like recurrent corneal erosions . But don't worry, these complications can often be treated and cured.
Just as frequent sunburn increases the risk of developing skin cancer (melanoma) , prolonged exposure to UV rays can also damage the eyes. This can increase the risk of developing conjunctival melanoma or other conditions.
How does a doctor recognize this?
A doctor, usually an emergency room doctor or an ophthalmologist, will diagnose this by examining your eyes, asking you questions about your symptoms, recent activities (such as welding or exposure to strong sunlight), and performing a few simple tests.
Often, people with thermal burns will also have burns on their eyelids and around their face. This makes it easier to recognize.
What tests are being done for this?
Two main tests are used for this:
1. Fluorescein staining: In this, a special dye that glows under blue light is applied to the eye. This allows the damaged areas of the cornea to be clearly seen.
2. Slit lamp exam: This involves examining the surface of the eye in detail using a magnifying lens and light.
What is the treatment for this?
The cornea has an amazing ability to heal itself quickly, so most treatments are aimed at helping the cornea heal, reducing other symptoms, and preventing complications.
The following can be done as treatment:
- Pain Management: Because these burns can be very painful, your doctor may prescribe an anesthetic medication to numb the area. Once the numbness has subsided, oral painkillers, such as NSAIDs (Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) , may be prescribed to control the pain. For severe burns, strong painkillers, such as opioids, may also be prescribed initially.
- Antibiotics: The cornea is a protective barrier that prevents germs from entering. When you have a burn, germs can easily enter the eye. Therefore, it is very important to use antibiotic eye drops or ointments to prevent infection.
- Eye patch: Sometimes you may be asked to wear an eye patch to protect your eyes. However, this is not always necessary. Your doctor will advise you on this depending on the severity of your injury.
How do you feel after the treatments? How long does it take to recover?
How soon will I feel better after treatment?
If you apply a numbing medication to your eye, the pain will subside within a few minutes. However, once the tingling sensation wears off, you may feel a little uncomfortable again. But don't worry, your doctor will teach you how to use painkillers (like NSAIDs) to control the pain. Also, since the cornea heals very quickly, the pain will still be significantly reduced even after the numbing medication wears off.
What to expect if you have a corneal burn?
Although this is painful, it heals quickly. Symptoms such as blurred vision, watery eyes, and pain when looking at light may be temporary. These will gradually disappear as the cornea heals.
How long will this situation last?
Fortunately, your cornea can heal very quickly. These burns usually heal completely within three days (72 hours) . Most people experience significant improvement within the first day or two.
What is the outlook for this situation?
Although painful, if treated promptly, it can lead to a full recovery. Complications such as infection and corneal abrasions can occur, but they are uncommon and respond well to treatment. If you have any further questions about your condition, it is best to consult your ophthalmologist.
Can this be prevented?
Yes, absolutely! This is something that can be easily prevented. The chances of unimaginable accidents happening are really low. If you follow these simple steps, you can avoid this risk to a great extent:
- Wear UV-blocking sunglasses: This is especially important if you are in areas where the sun is strongly reflected (beaches, large bodies of water). These are essential if you work with UV light sources, such as welding, or if you use tanning beds (although experts say that using tanning beds is not at all safe).
- Wear heat-resistant safety goggles or glasses: These can help protect your eyes if you are near flammable objects or open flames.
- Use flammable materials with caution: Only use items that are designed to ignite, and even then, use caution. Never use gasoline to ignite. Also, remember that the words "inflammable" and "flammable" both mean "flammable." If something is not flammable, it should be labeled "nonflammable."
- Be very careful when using fireworks: Although they may seem like fun, remember that fireworks are dangerous. Do not let young children light fireworks alone. Some fireworks are not suitable for children, even under adult supervision.
If I have a corneal burn, what should I do?
If you think you have a corneal burn, or if you have even the slightest suspicion that you may have one, don't delay in seeking medical advice. Symptoms of other burns caused by UV rays can take hours to appear. Prompt treatment can help control existing symptoms and prevent the condition from getting worse.
Any thermal burn on the face or around the eyes requires immediate medical attention. Do not attempt to treat it yourself, or delay it. Doing so can worsen the pain, lead to infection, and cause other problems in the future.
If your doctor prescribes antibiotics, take them exactly as directed. Don't stop taking them when you feel better. Taking the medication for the full prescribed period is the best way to prevent a recurrence of an infection and the development of antibiotic-resistant infections.
When should I see a doctor? When should I go to the emergency room?
After you are first diagnosed in the emergency room, you will be referred to an ophthalmologist . See that doctor as soon as possible. You may be asked to come back a couple of times to see how your eyes are healing and to check for any other problems. It is very important to go and see the doctor as directed.
After treatment, most people will not need emergency care again. But if your pain seems to be getting worse or your vision seems to be getting worse, go to an emergency room right away.
Depending on your situation, there may be other reasons that require emergency treatment. Your ophthalmologist will explain to you what these are and what symptoms to look out for.
Finally, things to remember
Corneal Flash Burns are a painful but treatable condition. If you think you have this condition, the best thing you can do is seek medical attention as soon as possible. Don't just wait it out. Doing so can lead to infection and other problems. Fortunately, the cornea is a very quick-healing part of our body. If you get treatment quickly and follow your doctor's instructions, you should be feeling better in two to three days (or even sooner).
` Corneal flash burns, eye burn, photokeratitis, UV radiation, thermal burn, eye pain, welding eye
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