A whole day at the beach, a day’s skiing under clear skies or a mountain hike… and then, at night, your eyes start to feel red, watery and gritty, so uncomfortable that you can’t sleep. If this has happened to you, it is quite possible that you had photokeratitis, which many people know as “sunburnt eyes”.
Just as skin burns when it is exposed to the sun without protection, the surface of the eye can also be injured by ultraviolet (UV) radiation. The good news is that it is usually a temporary problem and, above all, easy to prevent. At Ramírez & Gálvez Clinics we explain why it happens, how to recognise it, what to do if it happens to you and when you should see an ophthalmologist.
What is photokeratitis? 🔥
Photokeratitis is an inflammation of the cornea, the clear layer that covers the front of the eye, caused by excessive exposure to UV radiation. The conjunctiva, the thin membrane covering the white of the eye, is often irritated too, which is why it is sometimes called photokeratoconjunctivitis.
What happens is that the radiation damages the outermost cells of the cornea, known as the epithelium. The cornea is one of the tissues with the most nerve endings in the body, so even though the injury is superficial, the discomfort can be very intense.
Where and how it happens: beach, snow, mountains and water 🏔️🌊
You don’t need to look directly at the sun to burn your eyes. Much of the problem comes from reflected radiation, which reaches the eye from below and from the sides. These are the most common situations:
- Snow: this is the surface that reflects the most UV radiation, which is why photokeratitis is also known as “snow blindness”. Skiing or winter hiking without suitable eyewear is one of the classic causes.
- Mountains: the higher you go, the less radiation the atmosphere filters out, so exposure increases even when it isn’t hot.
- Beach and sand: pale sand reflects some of the sunlight, and long hours outdoors add up without us noticing.
- Water: sailing, paddleboarding or spending the day by the pool exposes you to light bouncing off the surface of the water.
- Artificial sources: sunbeds and welding arcs without a protective mask cause exactly the same injury.
One important point: cloudy days don’t protect you. A good deal of UV radiation passes through clouds, and the cold or wind on the slopes means we don’t perceive the sun as a threat.
Symptoms: why they appear hours later ⏰
One of the hallmarks of photokeratitis is that it doesn’t hurt while you are exposed. Symptoms usually appear several hours later, often at night when you are already home, so it is easy not to link them to the sun. The most common are:
- Eye pain, sometimes intense, in one or both eyes.
- A gritty feeling or the sensation of having “something in” your eye.
- Red eyes and heavy watering.
- Marked sensitivity to light (photophobia) and difficulty keeping your eyes open.
- Blurred vision and slightly swollen eyelids.
Some of these symptoms resemble those of conjunctivitis or severe dry eye, so if you are in any doubt, the most sensible thing is to have an ophthalmologist examine you.
What to do if you think you’ve burnt your eyes 🩹
In most cases, the corneal epithelium heals on its own and the discomfort improves within a few days. In the meantime, these measures can bring relief:
- Take out your contact lenses and don’t put them back in until your eye has fully recovered.
- Don’t rub your eyes, even if they itch: you could make the corneal injury worse.
- Rest somewhere with low light and wear sunglasses if you go out.
- Apply cold compresses to your closed eyelids to soothe the burning sensation.
- Use preservative-free artificial tears to lubricate the surface of the eye.
- Don’t self-medicate with anaesthetic eye drops or any drops you have lying around at home: they bring short-term relief, but repeated use can delay healing and damage the cornea.
When to see an ophthalmologist ⚠️
Although it is usually mild, you should have your eyes checked if you notice any of these signs:
- The pain is very intense or hasn’t improved after a day or two.
- Your vision stays blurred or gets worse instead of recovering.
- There is a yellowish or greenish discharge, which could indicate an infection.
- You wear contact lenses and your eye is red and painful.
- You are not sure whether the cause is the sun, a foreign body, a knock or a chemical.
In the consultation we examine the cornea with a slit lamp and a special dye that shows up the damaged areas. This allows us to confirm the diagnosis, rule out other causes and prescribe the right treatment for you.
Prevention: the right sunglasses for every situation 🕶️
Preventing photokeratitis is simple if you match your protection to the activity you are doing. Beyond making sure your sunglasses are certified and have a UV filter, pay attention to these details:
- Choose the category to suit the setting: sunglass lenses are classified into categories according to how much light they let through. For the beach or a summer’s day, category 3 is the usual choice; for high mountains, glaciers or very bright snow there is category 4, which is not suitable for driving.
- Side protection: because much of the radiation is reflected, wraparound frames or ski goggles protect far better than small glasses.
- Add a cap or wide-brimmed hat to reduce the light coming from above.
- Don’t be fooled by clouds or cold: in the snow and mountains, wear protection all day.
- Protect the little ones with certified sunglasses in their size: children’s eyes are especially sensitive to radiation.
- On sunbeds or when welding, always use the specific protective goggles or mask.
What’s more, repeated sun exposure over the years is linked to other problems of the eye’s surface, such as pterygium and pinguecula. Protecting yourself today also means caring for your eyes in the long term.
Frequently asked questions 💬
Does photokeratitis leave lasting damage? In most cases, no: the cornea recovers completely. Even so, it’s best not to repeat the exposure without protection.
Can it happen when it’s overcast? Yes. Clouds don’t block all UV radiation, and on snow the reflection remains very strong.
Can I wear my contact lenses the next day? It’s better to wait until all the discomfort has gone and, if in doubt, to ask your ophthalmologist.
We can help in Torre del Mar and Lucena 🏥
If after a day of sun, snow or sea your eyes feel irritated, sore or your vision is blurred, don’t ignore it. At our clinics in Torre del Mar and Lucena, Dr Sonia Gálvez and Dr Javier Ramírez will assess the surface of your eyes and recommend the most suitable treatment.
Are your eyes uncomfortable after time in the sun? Book your appointment and let us take care of your eyes! 📅✨