Cornea

UV Photokeratoconjunctivitis

Also known as: UV keratitis, photokeratoconjunctivitis, arc eye, flash burn eye, welder's flash, snow blindness, UV burn eye, sunbed eye burn

Overview

Painful corneal and conjunctival inflammation from excessive ultraviolet radiation exposure. Classic causes are: welding arc without eye protection (arc eye), snow-reflected UV (snow blindness), sunbed overexposure, and high-altitude UV exposure. Symptoms characteristically onset 6–12 hours after exposure — the delayed onset is a key diagnostic clue.

What OptoGuide™ covers for uv photokeratoconjunctivitis

  • Recognition patterns — symptoms, signs, and differentiators
  • Don't-miss risks and escalation triggers
  • Management tiers with linked Australian therapeutics
  • Referral urgency, specialty, and letter drafting

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