Arc Eye
scootz - 27/8/11 at 11:43 AM
Bloody hell that's a nasty one!
I was working away at one end of the car at lunchtime yesterday when someone else was welding at the other. I wasn't conscious of looking at the
arc at any point.
Went to bed about 11 and mentioned to Mrs Scootz that my eyes were nipping. Put it down to tiredness.
Woke up at 1-ish and holy-guacamole... I was blind! I couldn't open my eyelids without lots of pain and streaming tears. I persevered for an
hour or so, but then had to call NHS 24 as I hadn't a clue what was going on and they told me to go to A&E. Just what I didn't want...
A&E on a weekend night... and just after kicking out time at the clubs.
Turns out I've burnt both corneas! 
Felling a bit better, but LESSON LEARNED!
dave r - 27/8/11 at 11:50 AM
good job your avatar has shades on
after having arc eye myself, i wouldnt wish it on anyone
Peteff - 27/8/11 at 11:52 AM
Even just wearing a pair of clear safety glasses would have saved you a lot of pain. I put them on when I go in the shed because I know sooner or
later I will be tempted to do something that needs them.
Mark Allanson - 27/8/11 at 11:54 AM
After years as a pro welder I have avoided it, people usually get it reflected off white walls in the building - should always use welding screens.
perksy - 27/8/11 at 11:58 AM
You need to be even more careful if you wear contact lenses
iank - 27/8/11 at 11:59 AM
On the positive side it's the kind of thing you only tend to get once as you'll be REALLY careful next time.
Hope it clears soon.
JF - 27/8/11 at 12:08 PM
As said before... clear safety glasses filter out a lot. I always put them on when welding, or when I'm working close to someone welding and I
can't put a screen or board to block it.
Even while tack welding without a mask (we only have hand held masks and sometimes you need both hands) I get a (light) sunburn on my face once in a
while. But no arc eye. You often can see the outline where the glasses were.
So yeah I always put on my safety glasses, and use a mask whenever I can. It might not be the best, but seems to help a lot.
mrwibble - 27/8/11 at 12:13 PM
quote:
Originally posted by JF
As said before... clear safety glasses filter out a lot. I always put them on when welding, or when I'm working close to someone welding and I
can't put a screen or board to block it.
Even while tack welding without a mask (we only have hand held masks and sometimes you need both hands) I get a (light) sunburn on my face once in a
while. But no arc eye. You often can see the outline where the glasses were.
So yeah I always put on my safety glasses, and use a mask whenever I can. It might not be the best, but seems to help a lot.
if they're made of polycarb, i doubt toughened glass or cr39 plastic will filter much of the IR / UV that welding kicks out.
JF - 27/8/11 at 12:17 PM
Yeah good point. Our safety glasses are indeed polycarb.
Wheels244 - 27/8/11 at 01:02 PM
Not nice, I've had it a few times but only once seriously which required hospital treatment, got it when working in heavy engineering.
I'm sure the hospital gave antibiotic eye drops - I used to use fresh milk eye drops - might sound strange but got the tip from an old boy welder
- it helps a bit, the fat in the milk helps lubricate your eye lid which assist with the 'sand in the eye' feeling.
britishtrident - 27/8/11 at 01:34 PM
For the discomfort you may find taking Aspirin will help, provided you don't have problems with Aspirin..
I had nasty conjunctivitis on a boat trip once and Aspirin was very effective at easing the pain until I could get antibiotic drops from a medic.
T66 - 27/8/11 at 03:23 PM
So what you listening to on radio 4 tonight then ?
big_wasa - 27/8/11 at 03:35 PM
Yep had it bad once and again woke up in the middle of the night wondering what was going on.
jacko - 27/8/11 at 04:07 PM
http://www.locostbuilders.co.uk/viewthread.php?tid=136483
this may help
Jacko
scootz - 27/8/11 at 04:09 PM
quote:
Originally posted by T66
So what you listening to on radio 4 tonight then ?
Tried watching the F1 qualifying earlier but had to give up!
Oh well, it's getting better all the time though... they reckon the eyes heal themselves quicker than most other parts of the body.
Was miserable last night... thankfully a Doc saw me straight away when I arrived at reception and put some anesthetic in my eyes so my wait
wasn't so bad. They just treated by giving the area a good clean, applying dye and then giving them a good inspection. Once they'd
established that it was just burning, they sent me home with an ampoule of anesthetic (they shouldn't have done, but I asked nicely ) so that
I could get to sleep, a couple of tubes of chloramphenicol cream and painkillers.
I have learned my lesson and will stay well away when someone else is welding!
David Jenkins - 27/8/11 at 05:40 PM
Very naughty of the person welding... the welder's number one rule is to see if anyone else is at risk when welding... should have put up screens
or barriers, or at a minimum warned anyone within range.
I have had arc eye once - inflicted it upon myself - and I have no wish to do it again!