Eye burn by welding
Content:
- A bit of physics and technology
- A little medicine
- Signs of eye burns with UV rays
- First aid
- Prevention
People who are doing welding work on duty or simply using this technology in home renovations know the expression “catch bunnies”. In the parlance of welders, this means getting an eye disease when working with welding equipment without protective glasses. Among doctors, such damage to the organ of vision is called "photokeratitis" or "electrophthalmia". It occurs when the cornea of the eye is exposed to a powerful stream of ultraviolet radiation.
In order to understand the mechanism of its development and possible methods of prevention, it is necessary to dwell in more detail on the physical and physiological foundations of ultraviolet rays.
A bit of physics and technology
In most types of welding that are used in construction, the joining of products occurs under the action of a welding arc. The welding arc is an electric charge that occurs between two electrodes in a mixture of gases, which has a high power and remains for a long time. It has an ultra-high temperature and high current density. The physical properties of the welding arc are such that when it is formed, an additional release of a large flux of ultraviolet radiation occurs.
Ultraviolet radiation is radiation with a wavelength between 10 and 400 nm. It occupies an intermediate position between visible light with a wavelength of more than 380 nm and X-rays with a wavelength of less than 10 nm.
Ultraviolet radiation is not uniform and can be divided into four parts depending on the wavelength. Distinguish:
- UV-A rays, or near ultraviolet, with wavelengths of 315-400 nm;
- UV-B rays, or 280-315 nm;
- UV-C rays, or far ultraviolet, with waves of 100-280 nm;
- extreme ultraviolet 10-100 nm.
The biological effect that ultraviolet radiation has on the human body directly depends on its wavelength. The longer they are, the weaker the effect is.
UV-A rays are hardly felt by humans.
Ultraviolet rays with a length of 280-315 nm have a strong effect on the skin and mucous membranes and can cause burns with prolonged exposure.
The most aggressive are UV rays shorter than 280 nm, which can penetrate deeply into body tissues without hindrance. For example, they can pass through all environments of the eye and reach the retina, causing damage.
In the composition of the ultraviolet radiation that occurs in the welding arc, UV rays with a wavelength of 100 to 300 nm prevail.
A little medicine
The outside of the eye is covered with a special transparent structure called the cornea. It is a lens consisting of a transparent connective tissue covered with epithelium on the outside. Its cells are capable of absorbing ultraviolet radiation. The reaction of the cornea to UV rays depends on their wavelength, time and intensity of exposure. With prolonged exposure to a powerful stream of short-wave UV radiation, the DNA of epithelial cells is destroyed. As a result, their death develops, which manifests itself in the form of a burn.
In response to UV rays, an inflammatory reaction occurs in the cornea, which is characterized by four classic symptoms:
- swelling;
- redness;
- an increase in body temperature;
- pain.
These clinical signs develop due to the reaction of blood vessels, nerves that braid the anterior surface of the eyeball.
Under the influence of UV rays, the small capillaries located at the junction of the cornea into the sclera expand, as a result of which it swells. The dilated, blood-filled vessels of the conjunctiva give it a red color.
The cornea is rich in nerve endings, so any damage to it causes severe pain.
Full restoration of its functions occurs within 3-4 days.
A distinctive feature of a UV burn from thermal and chemical is that its effect is cumulative, that is, cumulative. Symptoms do not appear immediately after exposure, but appear gradually, reaching a maximum 6-12 hours after injury.
Signs of eye burns with UV rays
The main complaints of welding eye burns are:
- Pain in the eyes;
- feeling of sand, specks in the eye;
- lacrimation;
- spasm of the eyelids (blepharospasm);
- photophobia;
- decreased visual acuity;
- headache;
- increase in body temperature (no higher than 38 C °)
When examining the eye, corneal edema is noted, it becomes looser, thickens, loses its natural shine, and may be clouded. In severe cases, erosion and bubbles form on its surface. Conjunctival vessels are well discernible, overflowing with blood - "red eyes".
First aid
Any phototrauma to the eye requires an obligatory visit to an ophthalmologist to assess the degree of damage to the cornea.
To relieve symptoms at home, before consulting a doctor, you can use:
- sunglasses, blackout of windows with curtains, use of nightlights;
- painkillers and anti-inflammatory drugs inside;
- natural tear preparations.
The protective regime is of great importance precisely on the first day after the onset of symptoms, when photophobia and blepharospasm are most pronounced. Wearing sunglasses, avoiding bright lamps, and darkening windows with curtains will help your eyes get through this difficult period easier.
It is not necessary to put on protective eye patches, as they slow down the healing process of the cornea and create additional discomfort for the victim.
Pain relievers can be used to relieve pain, such as Nurofen, Indomethacin, Nimesil, Diclofenac in tablets and capsules. Apply 1 tablet (capsule) 2-3 times a day after meals for 3 days.
To accelerate the healing of damage to the epithelium and prevent dryness of the cornea, natural tear preparations can be used, for example, Vizin Pure tear, Natural tear. They are instilled in 1-2 drops in each eye every 2 hours.
It is prohibited:
- instill any drops in the eyes, except for those written above, without first consulting a doctor;
- use traditional medicine methods (tea lotions, honey solution, aloe) on the first day after injury;
- rub your eyes.
Treatment prescribed by an eye doctor. After consultation, an ophthalmologist may prescribe:
- antibiotics in the form of eye drops, this is necessary to prevent the development of microbial inflammation of the injured cornea;
- anesthetic solutions (lidocaine, dicaine), to relieve pain in the eyes;
- perivasal novocaine blockade (carried out in a polyclinic);
- drugs that dilate the pupil.
Complications of corneal burns during welding. Later seeking medical help can cause the development of the following pathological changes in the cornea:
- turbidity with the development of a thorn;
- scarring;
- ulcers;
- chronic inflammation.
Prevention
Since any illness and injury is easier to prevent than to cure, compliance with safety rules during welding plays a major role in the prevention of electrophthalmia.
A properly fitted welder's mask will protect your eyes from the harmful UV radiation of the welding arc.
The author of the article: Volkov Dmitry Sergeevich | c. m. n. surgeon, phlebologist
Education: Moscow State University of Medicine and Dentistry (1996). In 2003 he received a diploma from the Educational and Scientific Medical Center of the Presidential Administration of the Russian Federation.
