Archive · 21 Aug 2026
Eye Sunburn: UV Damage Can Come From Multiple Sources
Your eyes can be harmed by ultraviolet, or UV, light.
This kind of injury is called photokeratitis.
UV exposure can come from artificial sources, including tanning beds, UV lamps and welding arcs.
Not using appropriate eye protection increases the risk from these sources.
Eye sunburn symptoms may not appear right away.
They can begin several hours after the exposure.
Some people may notice the problem later that day or the next morning.
This delay can make the damage difficult to recognize immediately.
Artificial sources such as tanning beds, UV lamps and welding arcs can cause photokeratitis.
Appropriate eye protection can help prevent photokeratitis from artificial UV sources.
Symptoms of eye sunburn may not appear immediately after UV exposure.
Signs of eye damage can develop several hours after exposure.
A person may not realize their eyes were damaged until later that day or the following morning.
- Who
- People exposed to ultraviolet light.
- What
- UV exposure can cause eye sunburn, also called photokeratitis.
- When
- Symptoms may develop several hours after exposure, later that day or the following morning.
- Where
- The exposure may occur around tanning beds, UV lamps or welding arcs.
- Why
- Artificial UV sources can cause photokeratitis when appropriate eye protection is not used.
- Condition
- Photokeratitis, described as eye sunburn or UV-related eye damage.
- Sources
- Tanning beds, UV lamps and welding arcs are identified as artificial sources.
- Protection
- Appropriate eye protection is important around artificial UV sources.
- Symptom timing
- Symptoms may not appear immediately after exposure.
- Possible delay
- Symptoms can develop several hours later, including later that day or the following morning.