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Ultraviolet Keratitis, Sports Medicine

Carrie Zaslow, MD and Tracy Zaslow, MD, FAAP, CAQSM Reviewed 04/2019
 


BASICS

  • Also known as photokeratitis or solar keratitis

  • Acute syndrome occurs after exposure of the eyes to ultraviolet (UV) radiation.

  • Painful but usually self-limited

DESCRIPTION

Exposure to various form...

DIAGNOSIS

  • Accurate history, including:

    • Type of exposure

    • Timing and duration of exposure

    • Use of protective eyewear

  • Visual acuity

  • Complete bilateral ocular exam, including:

    • Extraocular movements

    • Slit-lamp exam...

TREATMENT

GENERAL MEASURES

  • Treatment is supportive.

  • Severe pain from the syndrome should be treated with oral analgesics.

  • Although they do have a role in the physical exam, topical anesthetics should nev...

ONGOING CARE

  • Corneal surface regenerates in 24 to 72 hr.

  • Surface regeneration leads to symptom resolution.

FOLLOW-UP RECOMMENDATIONS

  • Reexamination in 24 to 48 hr

  • If symptoms improved: Patient can continue...

REFERENCES

1
Young A. Acute effects of UVR on human eyes and skin. Prog Biophys Mol Biol.  2006;92(1):80–85.
2
Izadi M, Jonaidi-Jafari N, Pourazizi M, et al. Photokeratitis induced by ultraviolet ra...

ADDITIONAL READING

  • American National Standards Institute: www.ANSI.org

  • Bagheri N, Wajda B, eds. The Wills Eye Manual: Office and Emergency Room Diagnosis and Treatment of Eye Disease. 7th ed. Philadel...

CLINICAL PEARLS

  • A patient with eye pain should not be prescribed topical anesthetic eye drops.

  • Abuse of these drops can lead to neurotrophic keratopathy, a loss of corneal sensation leading to epitheli...

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