Greetings Posted July 26, 2012 Report Share Posted July 26, 2012 Something is happening to my eyes, I can't go to the hospital because I can't drive in this condition, I can barely see. There's a severe burning sensation on my eyeballs which has been getting worse for the last few hours. I've had mild pain the whole day since I was talking to a chap who was TIG welding at the time, maybe some gasses got into my eyes. But it all went tits up a few hours ago when light sources started glowing and the pain got worse, now I can't look at any light I'm writing this in sunglasses, my eyes either get used to being closed and opening them hurts like hell or they have to be open all the time. I'm freaked out, nobody nearby to help, not going to call an ambulance because this is probably not that serious, any idea what might be going on? I can't think of anything that could have triggered this apart from this TIG welding which did cause sore eyes but nothing even remotely close to what's happening now. Help. Hope this makes sense, I can't read back what I've written. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dann2707 Posted July 26, 2012 Report Share Posted July 26, 2012 Sounds like arc eye if you didn't get it treated at the time? 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trialsiain Posted July 26, 2012 Report Share Posted July 26, 2012 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Photokeratitis 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DrDoom Posted July 26, 2012 Report Share Posted July 26, 2012 Sounds like arc eye to me too! Done it myself - dont think people realise how dangerous the UV light from welding can be - it basically sunburns your corneas... Your eyes will be all crusty in the morning, but it does get better! 36 hours and the symptoms should of gone! Can take up to a week for the pupils to deconstrict though. Dont rub it, keep your sunglasses on, and stay in a dark room - in the morning, get a lift to hospital if possible for some eyedrops. DO NOT rub it though as it can damage the lens of the eye! If you want to try and ease the feeling - (it feels like you've got grit in your eyes, doesnt it?) Put two warm wet teabags over your eyes for the night! Or just TAPE your eyelid shut. Remember, things you can feel, wont blind you. If you can feel pain, its good! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Greetings Posted July 26, 2012 Author Report Share Posted July 26, 2012 (edited) Thanks a lot people, it's almost definitely that. I feel comforted knowing what's going on. I finally found it in me to drive to a hospital, took ages because I couldn't see where I was going. When I arrived I found the hospital was closed. An hour later things started to improve and I managed to drive back safely. Now the pain is still there but nowhere near as bad and I can see clearly though light sources still glow. I wasn't looking directly into the torch, merely holding an exhaust so he could weld comfortably and we were chatting away. This exposure probably lasted around 15 minutes. What I did notice though after taking a shower was that the skin on my face and neck was visibly darker than the rest of my body. Anyway, lesson learned. Will never allow for this to happen again. Thanks again. edit: oh and thanks DrDroom for the tips, not sure I want to try the teabags because I'll end up staining my whole bed, but will definitely remember to keep the sunglasses on and not rub my eyes. I've managed to avoid that so far so should be ok. Edited July 26, 2012 by Greetings Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Muel Posted July 26, 2012 Report Share Posted July 26, 2012 For future reference, eyes are extremely delicate things, always go to hospital. But check the opening times first. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JT! Posted July 26, 2012 Report Share Posted July 26, 2012 I can barely see. But check the opening times first. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Greetings Posted July 26, 2012 Author Report Share Posted July 26, 2012 I thought hospitals were open 24/7. This one had a bell on it which said ring after 10pm but nobody came out. Rather like Tom Cruise. Besides, I didn't know where I was going, just stopped at a petrol station and asked for directions to the nearest hospital. I've never been to one before. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tomm Posted July 26, 2012 Report Share Posted July 26, 2012 Well yeah you probably would need a hospital with a 24 hour Emergency Department. I find it hard to believe that there isn't one within an hour's drive, but then I've never been to Poland. And yes, as Muel says, don't mess about with things like this, go to see someone who knows what they're doing. Even the best internet doctors (who almost certainly don't reside on TF) are no substitute for a trained doctor. The idea that you would believe someone on TF and wait for 36 hours for it to get better by itself is crazy when your eyesight is potentially at stake. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Greetings Posted July 26, 2012 Author Report Share Posted July 26, 2012 Just been to a doctor, he prescribed a gel and something to swallow and said it should improve within the next 2 days, if not I should go and see an optician. Either way this thread has been really helpful, calmed me down loads at night. I don't mind pain as much when I know what's going on, otherwise I tend to panic. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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