Welding Flash Pain Explained: How to Treat & Prevent Arc Eye (Video)

Transcript

Welding flash hurts hours later, why does the pain start after night falls?

Welding flash hurts hours later, why does the pain start after night falls?

Arc Eye vs Sun Damage

In this video you'll learn how welding flash hurts, how to treat it, and the one habit that stops it before it starts.

What is arc eye?

Arc eye is a sunburn of the clear front window of the eye, caused by welding UV. It appears six to twelve hours later with gritty pain, tearing and light sensitivity. The cornea absorbs UV like skin, so the top cells get damaged and then peel, giving that sand-like feeling. Snow blindness works the same way.

Pain onset

The sting usually begins six to twelve hours after exposure, often when night falls, because the UV damage takes time to surface.

Immediate care

Take out any contacts, sit in a dim, cool room and place a clean cloth over closed lids for ten minutes. Avoid rubbing, and never use numbing drops at home, they delay healing. See an eye doctor the same day for proper assessment.

When to seek help

If you lose vision suddenly, feel pain in only one eye, notice a white spot or pus, or the pain worsens after a day, get medical help right away. Hot metal fragments can lodge in the cornea and need professional removal. Mention pregnancy to your doctor for safe pain relief.

Preventing arc eye

Prevent arc eye by wearing a welding helmet or hand shield with the correct shade for every strike, even a quick tack weld. Shade 10 or darker is typical for arc welding. Check auto-darkening helmets for battery and sensor before you start, and keep bystanders behind screens.

Sun and eclipse danger

Staring at the sun burns the retina, not the front of the eye, and often does so without pain. Hours later you may see a dark or bent spot in the centre of your vision. Never look directly at the sun, even with sunglasses, and use ISO-certified eclipse glasses or a pinhole projector for safe viewing. Supervise children closely.

The one habit to avoid

The single habit that stops welding flash is to wear a proper shade helmet for every weld, no matter how brief. Never skip the shield, even if you think you’re out of the arc’s line of sight.

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Read the full guide

The full guide is on thecareonline.com. General information only, so check with your doctor for your own case.