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How can you care for UV keratitis?
- If your doctor gave you eyedrops, use them as directed. Antibiotic eyedrops help prevent infection and scarring. Use the medicine for as long as your doctor tells you to, even if your eye starts to look and feel better. Keep the bottle tip clean. Do not let it touch the eye area.
- Be sure to only use the eyedrops your doctor prescribed. Do not use over-the-counter eyedrops. They may make your symptoms worse.
- To put in eyedrops:
- Tilt your head back, and pull your lower eyelid down with one finger.
- Drop or squirt the medicine inside the lower lid.
- Close your eye for 30 to 60 seconds to let the drops move around.
- Do not touch the eyedropper tip to your eyelashes or any other surface.
- Put a cold washcloth over your eye to help reduce swelling. Do this for 15 minutes 3 or 4 times a day for the first 24 to 48 hours after a burn to your eye. If you use a small ice pack, place a cloth between the ice and your skin. Do not use chemical cooling packs on or near your eye. If the pack leaks, the chemicals could cause more harm to your eye. After the swelling goes down, put a warm washcloth over your eye to help relieve pain.
- Do not wear contact lenses or eye makeup until your doctor says it is okay. If you were wearing disposable contacts when the burn happened, throw them away. Use a new pair when your eye has healed and it is safe to wear them again.
- Take an over-the-counter pain medicine, such as acetaminophen (Tylenol), ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), or naproxen (Aleve), as needed. Read and follow all instructions on the label.
- If you feel like you have something in your eye, don't rub it. This could cause more harm to your eye.
To prevent ultraviolet burns to your eye:
- Wear sunglasses that block ultraviolet rays. Do this even on cloudy days and in the winter.
- Protect your eyes from the sun's glare when you are boating, sunbathing, or skiing.
- Wear a mask or goggles designed for welding if you are welding or are near someone who is welding.
- Use goggles to protect your eyes when you use tanning booths or sunlamps.
UV keratitis: When to call
Call your doctor now or seek immediate medical care if:
- You have signs of an eye infection, such as:
- Pus or thick discharge coming from the eye.
- Redness or swelling around the eye.
- A fever.
- You have new or worse eye pain.
- You have vision changes.
- It feels like there is something in your eye.
- Light hurts your eye.
Watch closely for changes in your health, and be sure to contact your doctor if:
- You do not get better as expected.
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The content above contains general health information provided by Healthwise, Incorporated, and reviewed by its medical experts. This content should not replace the advice of your healthcare provider. Not all treatments or services described are offered as services by us. For recommended treatments, please consult your healthcare provider.