All About Arc eye

Arc eye, also known as arc flash, welder's flash, corneal flash burns, or flash burns, is a painful ocular condition sometimes experienced by welders who have failed to use adequate eye protection. It can also occur due to light from tanning beds, light reflected from snow (known as snow blindness), water or sand. The intense ultraviolet light emitted by the arc causes a superficial and painful keratitis.

Symptoms tend to occur a number of hours after exposure and typically resolve spontaneously within 36 hours. The sensation has been described as having sand poured into the eyes.

This phenomenon results from intense levels of illumination, greater than that of more common over-illumination found in many factories and offices.

Standards

Four principal standards govern arc flash hazards :

* OSHA Standards 29-CFR, Part 1910. Occupational Safety and Health Standards. 1910 sub part S (electrical) Standard number 1910.333 specifically addresses Standards for Work Practices and references NFPA 70E.
* The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) Standard 70 - 2002 “The National Electrical Code” (NEC) contains requirements for warning labels.
* NFPA 70E 2000 provides guidance on implementing appropriate work practices that are required to safeguard workers from injury while working on or near exposed electrical conductors or circuit parts that could become energized.
* The Institute of Electronics and Electrical Engineers (IEEE) 1584 – 2002 Guide to Performing Arc-Flash Hazard Calculations.

Arc flash hazard software exists that allow businesses to comply with the myriad of government regulations while providing their workforce with an optimally safe environment. Many software companies now offer arc flash hazard solutions.

Signs

* Intense lacrimation
* Blepharospasm
* Photophobia [1]
* Fluorescein dye staining will reveal corneal ulcers under blue light
* Constricted pupils note: this symptom may last as long as 96 to 128 hours in some cases.

Management

* Instill topical anaesthesia
* Inspect the cornea for any foreign body
* Patch the worse of the two eyes and prescribe analgesia
* Topical antibiotics in the form of eye drops or eye ointment or both should be prescribed for prophylaxis against infection