arc eye reassurance

[bigdrew1]

I made a quick tack without a mask on I shut my eyes but blinked them open for a split second. (out of habit. never welded anything without a mask before but I was in a pickle. Just so use to looking at what I am doing.)

Completely dumb yes. never doing it again.

I didn't get any bright spots etc after (like you would if you see a bright light)
I am just wondering what I can expect if anything

How long it takes to know if you have done anything

How long it takes to go away

I had normal eye glasses on if that makes a difference. weld so at arms length away

You don't need to tell me how dumb I am. I've already learnt my lesson

 

[bigdrew1]

Just to add currently everything is fine other than me being worried about it!

 

[Bornfree]

If you get a good one it feels like sand in your eyes

 

[bigdrew1]

immediately or delayed?

 

[Porkypine]

It was just a single flash,I reckon you'll be fine.
Some kiddy I was given to 'assist' me got it after a day on site, I told him emphatically to wear the headshield/mask down whenever an arc was struck, presumably at some points during the day he didn't, and paid the price, He was off the job ( and no doubt very uncomfortable for a while )

 

[Mr Roo]

Last weekend i was welding a ‘72 beetle. Got to my workshop, met the old fella who owns it (it’s a long resto project) and we set to work.

Realised about 20mins after arriving that i’d left both of my masks at other jobs through the week where i was due to return and finish jobs off - “i’ll be back in a couple days, this will save it rolling in the back of the motor”

Long story shorted i welded about 3 repair sections in [about 650mm of welding] without a mask on. Skin was dry as f*** the next day or so, eyes were a bit light-sensitive the next day, but I didn’t die (and i did make sure to go by and grab one of my masks the next morning..!)

TL;DR - nobody died, you’ll be fine

 

[colnerov]

I've had it a number of times, it's usually worse once you get into REM (rapid eye movements) sleep in the early hours of the night. A brief flash like that is not usually enough.

 

[roofman]

immediately or delayed?

you should be fine..i always tack without a mask, using the shroud as a shield for a nano second tack as this gets me on the mark.

 

[BrokenBiker]

wearing glasses there is a pretty good chance you wont have an issue, the UV wont get through them although there is a slim chance it has got around them if they werent sat properly etc...

you will know pretty quickly if you are going to ahve any issues but theres isnt a great deal you can do about it except ride it out

 

[Fazerruss]

wearing glasses there is a pretty good chance you wont have an issue, the UV wont get through them although there is a slim chance it has got around them if they werent sat properly etc...

you will know pretty quickly if you are going to ahve any issues but theres isnt a great deal you can do about it except ride it out

Arc eye can take up to several hours to take effect. I got it once over 10 years ago. Accidentally looked over when my brother was welding. I was fine all day but the symptoms started at 2 am in bed ( around 10 hours later). Went to A+E for anesthetic

 

[jimbo84]

I’ve had plenty of flashes over the years both through genuine mistake and my own stupidity, never had arc eye, I’d confidently say you’ll be fine.

 

[premmington]

I been electric welding for about 43yrs - car repairs - plant - building up things - repairing things - hardfacing - I done allot of it over the eyars..

I always use a mask - even when tacking.

------

Only time I have ever had arc eye - is when I was standing near a chap using a pulse MIG - got it one eye - not nice. I got arc flash from a reflection off a stainless tank - as I was turned away from direct eye contact from the arc when he was welding.

 

[tom2207]

wearing glasses there is a pretty good chance you wont have an issue, the UV wont get through them although there is a slim chance it has got around them if they werent sat properly etc...

you will know pretty quickly if you are going to ahve any issues but theres isnt a great deal you can do about it except ride it out

not all lenses are uv safe ..

 

[tom2207]

all it is is sunburn on the eye ,,, works the same as anywhere else , thats why it feels like grit , its the cells falling off and working like sand

 

[BrokenBiker]

not all lenses are uv safe ..

Hence why I said there is a pretty good chance...

 

[bigdrew1]

Thanks for the replies

Still no issues but will wait and see

It was in a friend's workshop. At home I'm super cautious and wouldn't consider making a weld without a mask on.

Not sure why my rules went out of the window there!.

 

[brightspark]

i tacked some rods up a week ago without a mask just closed my eyes when near got a squint but was ok . you would know in a few hours if you had one

 

[tom2207]

Hence why I said there is a pretty good chance...

if it hasnt got mar theres a better chance its not

 

[Craig-SM]

Just to add currently everything is fine other than me being worried about it!

If your eyes start watering and get worse before it feels like your eyeballs are being sand papered then you can confidently confirm you have arc eye. A trip to A&E and a very long and painful wait before they flush your eyes and give you gel to put under your eyelid, a few days later and you’ll be fine. That was my experience.

Forgot to mention an annoyed wife who’s had to drive you to the hospital and wait a long boring time too.

 

[tom2207]

If your eyes start watering and get worse before it feels like your eyeballs are being sand papered then you can confidently confirm you have arc eye. A trip to A&E and a very long and painful wait before they flush your eyes and give you gel to put under your eyelid, a few days later and you’ll be fine. That was my experience.

Forgot to mention an annoyed wife who’s had to drive you to the hospital and wait a long boring time too.

that sums it up , they give you lacri lube usually ,, I had some local anaesthetic drops that were great , dropped them in and your eyes stopped hurting and you could sleep , but they also stopped working too , so you had to sleep .