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The sun can damage everything from your car to your skin, but did you know it can also harm your eyes? The condition is called photokeratitis, and it’s similar to sunburn, but much worse. Here's how it happens and how to protect your eyes.
What is Photokeratitis?
Photokeratitis, also known as ultraviolet keratitis, is an inflammation of the cornea caused by excessive exposure to UV rays. Over time, too much sun exposure can lead to serious eye conditions such as cataracts, age-related macular degeneration, and even eyelid cancer.
Even without the severe long-term consequences, the symptoms of photokeratitis can still be quite uncomfortable. You may experience a gritty sensation, as if there’s sand in your eyes, along with pain, headaches, eyelid twitching, tearing, swelling, redness, blurry vision, and/or light sensitivity. You could also notice halos around lights, have constricted pupils in low light, or in rare instances, suffer from temporary vision loss or changes in color perception.
How photokeratitis is treated
Fortunately, as Healthline explains, the acute symptoms generally clear up within a day or two, so treatment typically focuses on relieving discomfort. Pain relievers and antibiotic eye drops may be recommended. Remove your contact lenses immediately so your eyes can rest and heal, avoid rubbing your eyes, and use a cool compress to soothe the pain. Be sure not to get anything in your eyes, like saltwater or makeup.
How to prevent photokeratitis
According to the American Academy of Ophthalmology, your risk of developing photokeratitis is higher when the sun reflects off surfaces like sand, water, ice, and snow, so remember this isn’t just a summer issue. It can also happen if you look directly at the sun without protection. Additionally, man-made UV sources like tanning beds and arc welding equipment can also cause damage.
Wearing proper eye protection is essential to prevent photokeratitis. This is why tanning salons provide you with those amusing little goggles when you use a tanning bed (which we don’t recommend, by the way), and why welders wear protective helmets while they work.
If you plan to spend a lot of time outdoors this summer—especially near sand or water—you’ll need some high-quality sunglasses. Make sure the tag says they block 99 to 100% of UVA and UVB rays. Go for larger lenses to maximize protection, even if it means sacrificing a bit of style—those tiny sunglasses from the 2000s might be making a comeback, but they don’t provide nearly enough coverage. And if fashion is important to you—even if it’s not—grab a stylish (or not-so-stylish) sun hat while you’re at it.
