What Is Arc Eye: How Flash Burn Happens and How Long It Takes to Recover
Arc eye is the most common welding injury that does not involve metal. One brief look at an unshielded arc, even from across the shop, can burn the surface of your corneas. The pain does not start immediately. It builds over hours. By midnight after a day of accidental flashes, it can feel like sand was ground into your eyes. This is photokeratitis from welding, and every welder either has had it or will.
This post covers what arc eye welding injuries are, how they happen, how long arc eye lasts, and how to make sure they do not happen again.
What Causes Arc Eye
Arc eye is caused by ultraviolet radiation from the welding arc. The arc produces UV-B and UV-C light that damages the epithelial cells on the cornea surface. The medical term is photokeratitis from welding, also called welder’s flash or flash burn.
The damage happens fast. A few seconds of direct exposure is enough to cause symptoms. A quick glance, reflected UV off a shiny surface, or standing near someone else’s arc without shielding can all cause welding flash burn eyes.
TIG welding produces more UV than MIG or stick at the same amperage. Aluminum TIG is particularly harsh because the bright arc reflects off the shiny base metal.
What Arc Eye Feels Like
Symptoms of welding flash burn eyes typically appear 6 to 12 hours after exposure:
- Gritty or sandy feeling in the eyes, like something is stuck under the eyelids
- Eye pain that ranges from mild irritation to severe throbbing
- Redness and swelling of the eyes and eyelids
- Watering or tearing
- Sensitivity to light (photophobia)
- Blurred vision in more serious cases
The delayed onset is what catches most welders off guard. You might not realize you were exposed until you wake up in the middle of the night with burning eyes. The severity depends on how long you were exposed and how close you were to the arc.
How Long Does Arc Eye Last
Most mild to moderate cases of arc eye welding resolve within 24 to 72 hours. The corneal epithelium regenerates quickly. Here is a general timeline:
| Severity | Exposure | Symptoms Start | Full Recovery |
| Mild | Brief flash, peripheral exposure | 6-12 hours after | 24-36 hours |
| Moderate | Several seconds of direct exposure | 4-8 hours after | 48-72 hours |
| Severe | Extended or close-range exposure | 2-6 hours after | 3-5 days, may need medical care |
If you are wondering how long arc eye lasts, the honest answer for most cases is one to two rough nights followed by gradual improvement. Severe cases with significant corneal damage can take longer and may need prescription treatment.
Welding Eye Injury Treatment
For mild to moderate cases, home welding eye injury treatment is usually sufficient:
- Remove contact lenses if you wear them
- Apply cold compresses to closed eyes for 10 to 15 minutes at a time
- Use over-the-counter artificial tears to keep the eyes moist
- Take ibuprofen for pain and swelling
- Wear sunglasses indoors if light sensitivity is severe
- Rest with eyes closed for the first 12 to 24 hours
- Do not rub your eyes
For serious cases, see a doctor. Go to urgent care if pain does not improve after 24 hours, vision is blurry, or you had prolonged direct exposure at close range. A doctor may prescribe antibiotic drops, anesthetic drops for short-term relief, or cycloplegic drops to reduce spasm pain. Welding eye injury treatment from a professional is necessary when home care is not enough.
Photokeratitis from welding heals because the corneal epithelium regenerates continuously. In most cases, there is no permanent damage from a single episode. Repeated exposures over years, however, can contribute to cataracts and chronic dry eye.
How to Prevent Arc Eye
Welding eye injury treatment is straightforward, but prevention is better. Every case of arc eye welding is preventable with proper equipment and shop discipline.
Wear the Right Helmet
An auto-darkening welding helmet is the most important piece of equipment for preventing photokeratitis from welding. The lens switches from a light shade to a dark shade in milliseconds when the arc strikes. Make sure the sensor response time and shade range match your process:
| Process | Recommended Shade |
|---|---|
| MIG welding (GMAW) | Shade 10-13 |
| TIG welding (GTAW) | Shade 10-13 |
| Stick welding (SMAW) | Shade 10-14 |
| Plasma cutting | Shade 8-12 |
| Oxy-fuel cutting | Shade 3-6 |
CryoWeld carries Jackson Safety auto-darkening helmets with adjustable shade, sensitivity, and delay settings.
Wear Safety Glasses Under the Helmet
Always wear ANSI Z87.1 rated safety glasses under your welding helmet. If the auto-darkening sensor fails or you flip the hood up between passes, the glasses provide a baseline level of UV protection.
Protect Bystanders
Anyone within line of sight of the arc can get a welding flash burn eyes injury. Use welding curtains or screens around your work area. Make sure other workers have proper eye protection before you strike an arc.
Check Your Equipment
Replace helmet lenses that are scratched or cloudy. Test auto-darkening sensors before each shift. A malfunctioning helmet is worse than no helmet because you trust it while it fails to protect you.
Getting the Right Eye Protection at CryoWeld
CryoWeld carries auto-darkening helmets, safety glasses, and face shields, plus the full range of welding safety equipment from Jackson Safety and Tillman at both Hudson Valley locations. We also stock the welding machines, torches, and consumables your shop runs on.
Stop by Poughkeepsie or Lake Katrine. Call Poughkeepsie at (845) 473-3357 or Lake Katrine at (845) 336-8680, weekdays 8 to 5. Or visit cryoweld.com.
FAQs
What is arc eye and how does it happen?
Arc eye is a corneal burn caused by UV radiation from the welding arc. Even a few seconds of exposure to an unshielded arc can damage the surface cells of the cornea. The medical term is photokeratitis from welding. Symptoms appear hours after exposure, not immediately.
How long does it take to recover from arc eye?
Mild cases resolve in 24 to 36 hours. Moderate cases take 48 to 72 hours. Severe cases with significant corneal damage can take 3 to 5 days. The corneal epithelium regenerates continuously, so most episodes heal completely without permanent damage.
What does arc eye feel like?
A gritty, sandy sensation in the eyes, as if something is stuck under the eyelids. Pain ranges from mild irritation to severe throbbing. Eyes become red, watery, and sensitive to light. Symptoms typically start 6 to 12 hours after exposure.
How do you treat welding flash burn at home?
Apply cold compresses to closed eyes, use artificial tears, take ibuprofen for pain, wear sunglasses for light sensitivity, and rest with eyes closed. Do not rub your eyes. See a doctor if pain does not improve within 24 hours or vision is affected.
Can arc eye cause permanent eye damage?
A single episode of arc eye welding usually heals completely with no lasting damage. However, repeated UV exposure over years can contribute to cataracts, chronic dry eye, and other long-term conditions. Consistent use of proper eye protection prevents cumulative damage.