{{Short description|Inflammation of the conjunctiva by ultraviolet damage}} {{Infobox medical condition (new) | name = Actinic conjunctivitis | synonyms = | image = Actinic_conjunctivitis_causes_a_redness_of_the_eyes,_as_well_as_swelling_and_often_grayness_around_the_eyes-_2014-05-21_23-27.JPG | caption = Actinic conjunctivitis causes a redness of the eyes, as well as swelling and often greyness around the eyes. | pronounce = | field = | symptoms = | complications = | onset = | duration = | types = | causes = | risks = | diagnosis = | differential = | prevention = | treatment = | medication = | prognosis = | frequency = | deaths = }} '''Actinic conjunctivitis''' is an inflammation of the eye contracted from prolonged exposure to actinic (ultraviolet) rays. Symptoms are redness and swelling of the eyes. Most often the condition is caused by prolonged exposure to Klieg lights, therapeutic lamps or acetylene torches. Other names for the condition include '''Klieg eye''', eyeburn, arc-flash, welder's conjunctivitis, flash keratoconjunctivitis, actinic ray ophthalmia, X-ray ophthalmia and ultraviolet ray ophthalmia.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://mercksource.com/pp/us/cns/cns_hl_dorlands.jspzQzpgzEzzSzppdocszSzuszSzcommonzSzdorlandszSzdorlandzSzdmd_c_52zPzhtm|title=Dorland's Medical Dictionary (confabulation&nbsp;— connexus)|accessdate=2007-07-27|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20070813230115/http://www.mercksource.com/pp/us/cns/cns_hl_dorlands.jspzQzpgzEzzSzppdocszSzuszSzcommonzSzdorlandszSzdorlandzSzdmd_c_52zPzhtm|archivedate=2007-08-13|url-status=dead}}</ref>

==Symptoms and signs== Conjunctivitis eye condition contracted from exposure to actinic rays. Symptoms are redness and swelling.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://medicine.academic.ru/113418/actinic_conjunctivitis | title=Actinic conjunctivitis}}</ref>

==Causes== Conjunctivitis is prevalent among children of the highlands of Ecuador. The finding supports the hypothesis that prolonged exposure to the sun at altitude, in the less dense atmosphere (with the resultant lower UV absorption), is one cause of the condition.<ref name=jme>{{Cite journal |last=Engel |first=J. Mark |last2=Molinari |first2=Andrea |last3=Ostfeld |first3=Barbara |last4=Deen |first4=Malik |last5=Croxatto |first5=Oscar |date=April 2009 |title=Actinic conjunctivitis in children: Clinical features, relation to sun exposure, and proposed staging and treatment |url=https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jaapos.2008.10.017 |journal=Journal of American Association for Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus |volume=13 |issue=2 |pages=161–165 |doi=10.1016/j.jaapos.2008.10.017 |issn=1091-8531|url-access=subscription }}</ref>

==Diagnosis== The diagnostic process of Actinic conjunctivitis stems from a doctor check-up once symptoms of redness, itching, or infection become evident in one or both eyes. In addition to the doctor inquiring about your symptoms, the medical appointment can consist of a slit lamp examination to observe the eye closely and in some cases an eye surface swabbing with fluorescein to test for foreign agents in the eye.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Conjunctivitis Information {{!}} Mount Sinai - New York |url=https://www.mountsinai.org/health-library/condition/conjunctivitis |access-date=2024-04-28 |website=Mount Sinai Health System |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Fluorescein eye stain: MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia |url=https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/003845.htm |access-date=2024-04-29 |website=medlineplus.gov |language=en}}</ref>

==Management== The wearing of sunglasses and avoiding prolonged sun exposure are the two main ways to prevent actinic conjunctivitis. Once the patient contracts this conjunctivitis, however, the symptoms can be treated with cyclosporine A and other steroids. On more advanced lesions, surgery may be necessary.<ref name=jme/>

==See also== * Conjunctivitis * Photokeratitis

==References== {{reflist}}

==External links== {{Medical resources | DiseasesDB = | ICD10 = | ICD9 = {{ICD9|370.24}} | ICDO = | OMIM = | MedlinePlus = | eMedicineSubj = | eMedicineTopic = | MeshID = }}

{{Eye pathology}}

Category:Eye diseases Category:Inflammations Category:Disorders of conjunctiva

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