Posters

Photokeratoconjunctivitis by Welder’s flash

Poster Details

First Author: J.Brahim Salem MOROCCO

Co Author(s): I. Tarib   M. Khamaily   N. Laaribi   R. Zerrouk   K. Reda   O. Abdelbarre     

Abstract Details

Purpose:

Photokeratitis is a painful form of keratitis caused by exposure of unprotected eyes to ultraviolet (UV) light. It is called "arc shot" when the photokeratitis is induced by UV radiation. We report the case of a patient who presents an arc shot.

Setting:

military teaching hospital Mohammed V

Methods:

A patient 35 years old, no notable medical history, professional rider, who reports watching for a few minutes, an electric arc during the welding of the doors of the stable.Ten hours later, bilateral eye pain and burning sensation awakens the patient in the middle of the night, when he consulted in the emergency room. He complained of tearing, photophobia and blepharospasm.

Results:

The BCVA  is 8/10 and 9/10,right and left eye.Slit lamp examination revealed conjunctival hyperemia,a slight decrease in corneal reflection with an appearance of punctate erosive keratitis limited to the palpebral fissure after instillation of fluorescein. The rest of the exam is without abnormalities.The diagnosis of a keratoconjunctivitis by stroke is retained.The patient is put under topical antibiotic, lubricants and healing agents. A strict rest in a dark room is prescribed. The evolution after 72 hours is marked, by total disappearance of the functional signs and the lesions visible initially on the examination, the acuity goes back to 10/10 in bilaterally.

Conclusions:

Arc shot is a pathology that is often benign, where corneal healing is achieved in 48 hours. This presentation,although quite alarming at first, can be prevented by a mere wearing of appropriate protective equipment.

Financial Disclosure:

None