Summer vacations mean fun and outdoor play for children, but could this fun under the scorching sun be harming their eyes?

Dr. Samragyi Srivastava (MBBS, MS), an ophthalmologist at Dr. Agarwal's Eye Hospital, warns that excessive exposure to ultraviolet (UV) rays can lead to a condition known as 'photokeratitis.' Let us learn more about this condition.

Who is at the highest risk?
Photokeratitis primarily affects individuals exposed to intense UV radiation. According to Dr. Srivastava, the risk is significantly higher for children who spend hours playing in open fields during summer vacations.

Apart from children, the following individuals are also susceptible:

Welders.
Skiers in snowy regions.
People who spend long periods at the beach.
Individuals whose work requires them to stay in strong sunlight for extended periods.

Recognizing the symptoms
If a person or child develops photokeratitis, they may experience several eye-related issues:

A stinging, burning sensation and intense eye pain.
Redness and excessive watering of the eyes.
Sensitivity to light.
A sensation of having a foreign particle or grit in the eye.
The good news is that, in most cases, vision remains normal or experiences only a very slight decline.

How do doctors diagnose it accurately?
To confirm the condition, ophthalmologists use a slit-lamp examination.

Using this machine, the doctor examines the outermost layer of the cornea, where inflammation, redness, or cellular damage can be easily detected.
During the examination, the doctor administers a special anesthetic eye drop. This provides immediate relief from pain and discomfort. The immediate disappearance of pain is a very reliable clinical indicator for identifying this condition.
This anesthetic drop is used solely for diagnostic purposes in a clinical setting; its regular use as a standard treatment is strictly prohibited.

Timely treatment ensures quick relief
Dr. Samragyi Srivastava states that the treatment for photokeratitis is straightforward and effective. If the condition is identified early and appropriate treatment is initiated, patients recover completely within just 24 to 72 hours. Therefore, if such symptoms are observed in children, consult a doctor without delay.

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