Eye burn from UV sterilizer

cdamiano

cdamiano

I like Fuzzy Sticks
While cleaning my UV sterilizer bulb the other day I made the mistake of looking too closely at it while it was turned on and outside of it's housing. I was fine all day but then woke up later that night with a terrible burning pain in my eyes and very limited vision. After a trip to the emergency room in the morning I was told that I had something called "Flash Burn" which occurs from damage to the cornea from UV light. Luckily, due to the short duration of exposure, there wasn't any permanent damage. I was told by the ER Dr. that I would be fine within 24 - 48 hrs and given bacitracin ointment to put on my eyes and painkillers for the pain.

I am posting this for anyone else who has a UV sterilizer. Please be careful not to look directly at the UV bulb while it is on. I highly recommend never having it turned on while it is outside of it's housing.
 
Wow, glad to hear you'll be fine.

I have been having some problems with my eyes and I thought it might be from the MH/T5s. Does anyone know if it is okay to view your tank maybe 3 feet away when the MH is on.

I sometimes sit on the edge of my recliner to watch the fish close up.


Thanks for the feedback.
 
Wow Chris your lucky! Glad your ok!
Larry, I would imagine being too close to MH could do something. Ive been working under mine in close proximity (less than 12 inches) and have felt my arms having a burning sensation for awhile afterwards. Ive never felt anything from looking into the tank up close and personal though.
 
Thanks everyone!!
Larry - Most MH lamps have a glass lens that filters the UV rays so you should be ok getting close to the tank for viewing as long as you have one of those UV filters over the bulb. Just don't take off the UV glass filter while the light is on.
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11932887#post11932887 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by cb747
Wow Chris your lucky! Glad your ok!
Larry, I would imagine being too close to MH could do something. Ive been working under mine in close proximity (less than 12 inches) and have felt my arms having a burning sensation for awhile afterwards. Ive never felt anything from looking into the tank up close and personal though.
Click to expand...

Chris,

I used to get sunburn on my arms from working too long in the tank when the halides were on.
It is a good source of vitamin A :lol:
 
cdamiano said:
While cleaning my UV sterilizer bulb the other day I made the mistake of looking too closely at it while it was turned on and outside of it's housing. I was fine all day but then woke up later that night with a terrible burning pain in my eyes and very limited vision. After a trip to the emergency room in the morning I was told that I had something called "Flash Burn" which occurs from damage to the cornea from UV light. Luckily, due to the short duration of exposure, there wasn't any permanent damage. I was told by the ER Dr. that I would be fine within 24 - 48 hrs and given bacitracin ointment to put on my eyes and painkillers for the pain.

I am posting this for anyone else who has a UV sterilizer. Please be careful not to look directly at the UV bulb while it is on. I highly recommend never having it turned on while it is outside of it's housing.
Click to expand...

Thanks. I have a 36 watt. Im sitting in the er right now. 2:30am.
 
Too late now, but you can get UV protective glasses for about $5. Well worth the investment, and then you can use them when you are fragging so stuff doesn't fly into your eyes.
 
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