Arc Eye

[Mills]

Hi,

I work in an engineering company and today was in the welding area when someone arced up and my eyes automatically looked at the arc for maybe around 1-2 seconds before I realised and pulled them away.

My vision is sort of affected like when you look at the sun but that isn't my main concern. What are the chances that I am going to have arc eye later today? I was probably about 2 meters away when I looked directly at it.

Important to note only my right eye feels affected not my left!

Thanks in advance.

 

[Paul.]

A brief flash is unlikely to give you arc eye, in over 40 years of welding and also teaching welding I have had plenty of flashes but never suffered from arc eye, the after image will soon fade,
And welcome to the forum.

 

[Pete.]

2 seconds from 6 feet away? Doubtful.

 

[colnerov]

What are the chances that I am going to have arc eye later today?

Slim.

 

[Appyasme1]

If you wear specs and looked straight at the Arc you should be ok,the only thing about specs is the Arc could hit you from the side.Cold tea bags and a mail to me at about 3am tomorrow will tell.Hope you are ok!!!

 

[Mills]

Thanks all! Hopefully I don't. Heard from people that have had it and they all say it is agony so don't feel like going through the same!

Any idea of what sort of exposure would cause arc eye for interest?

 

[Fazerruss]

I'm sorry to contradict what everyone else has said but I got a flash from 10 feet away for only a instant and I woke up in the night 16 hours later and had to go to A&E.
It affects people differently.
This was from my 180 amp mig on full outside (my brother was using it at the time).

 

[wheresmejumper]

2 seconds to register? Did the nerve signal travel via your big toe or what!

 

[Wendelspanswick]

I'm sorry to contradict what everyone else has said but I got a flash from 10 feet away for only a instant and I woke up in the night 16 hours later and had to go to A&E.
It affects people differently.
This was from my 180 amp mig on full outside (my brother was using it at the time).

I wouldn't work in a fab shop then unless you wear safety specs all the time!

 

[TechnicAl]

Usually you would know by now but as someone said it varies

We used to keep an Adrelin Solution t drop in the eye......is this still the cure?

 

[tomsutton529]

Doubtful you will have arc eye, but if you find yourself awake at 2am and unable to open your eyes for fear of them exploding, but keeping your eyes shut is not good either then its time to take some pain killers and I find some light pressure on your eyes (I use the palms of my hands) and try to get some kip.. it will be annoying and a little sore for a day or so.. I got it a few weeks ago and it was my own bloody fault for thinking i'l weld up this box section in flash...

Just out of interest what do they do at A&E when you roll up with arc eye?

 

[mr migwire]

mild anesthetic eye drops followed by cotton pads, or if your lucky clear plastic covers taped in place..........

 

[Richard.]

I've had "proper" arc eye twice in 17 years of welding. You'll need a good few flashes or prolonged flash before the radiation burns the retina on your eye (that's arc eye) as you know a 2 second flash isn't good but I doubt will cause you much discomfort. Give them a rinse and take care in future. Most clear safety glasses are filtered nowadays so it's worth wearing them whenever your in and around welders

 

[voipio]

Does anyone get an "arc-eye" reflex with LED daytime running lights? My eyes get drawn to the "arc" then I find myself putting a hand up to shield them from it; happens when walking or driving.

 

[TechnicAl]

Some car lights are very bright these days............the Sun has a similar effect but we never see it up here

 

[Richard.]

Usually you would know by now but as someone said it varies

We used to keep an Adrelin Solution t drop in the eye......is this still the cure?

Ha ha I remember that stuff. About 10 seconds of pain when the drop went in then everything went numb. Was great. Not heard of it in a while. I'll have a Google.

 

[Richard.]

I've googled it and it's different stuff. What we had waaaaay back then you couldn't buy from a chemist and although it made the pain go away I doubt it was that good for your eyes.

 

[roofman]

i had it years ago Arc welding with a cheap pair of sunglasses,had a small job and went to pick my helmet up and dropped it right on the jack and lense in tatters...run to the van and grabbed the glasses off the dash. that night i had red hot sand in my mince pies and lasted 48 hours

 

[TechnicAl]

Ive done it once in over 40 years. I was trying to video the arc so I could show some students what I meant. I couldnt get it right so it took ages. I was looking at the video screen and not thinking that the arc was flashing straight into my eyes. They were a mess for a while, skin peeling, the lot.
And that was probably after 30+ years experience

 

[evobilly666]

I have had arc eye twice in my short existence, both when i was much greener than I am now and both from mig. I started off arc welding and never suffered after a brief flash so was less cautious when i first started mig welding and it got me twice with very little flashes. Old boy told me that mig is a less shielded arc (due to gas as opposed to flux coated rods) so it is easier to get arc eye. Took it as a pinch of salt and look after my eyes more now regardless of welding procedure but there may be an element of truth in it.