Can Eyeballs Get Sunburned?

James H. Sterling
James H. Sterling
• • 6 min read

Because, Yes, You Can Sunburn Your Eyes. “It's Called Photokeratitis Photokeratitis Photokeratitis or Ultraviolet Keratitis Is a Painful Eye Condition Caused...

Can Eyeballs Get Sunburned?

Because, yes, you can sunburn your eyes. “It's called photokeratitis

photokeratitis
Photokeratitis or ultraviolet keratitis is a painful eye condition caused by exposure of insufficiently protected eyes to the ultraviolet (UV) rays from either natural (e.g. intense sunlight) or artificial (e.g. the electric arc during welding) sources. Photokeratitis is akin to a sunburn of the cornea and conjunctiva.
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,” said Todd Altenbernd, MD, a comprehensive ophthalmologist at Banner – University Medicine Ophthalmology Clinic in Tucson, AZ. “When your eye is exposed to too much ultraviolet (UV) light, the cornea can become damaged and irritated.”

What do sunburned eyes feel like?

Typical symptoms of eye sunburn, commonly known as “snow blindness,” (keratitis solaris or keratitis photoelectrica) are: sore/teary/itchy/red eyes where even your vision seems blurred, and an increased sensitivity to light.

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Can you sunburn the white part of your eye?

The short answer is YES. You can get sunburned not just on the eyelids and skin around your eyes, but also on the cornea (on the front part of your eye) and whites of the eye. Really! The condition of having a sunburn on the front of the eye is called photokeratitis.

James H. Sterling

James H. Sterling

Environmental Science & Climate Journalist
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James Sterling reports on renewable energy developments, climate policy, ecological conservation, and green tech innovations around the globe.