What is the most common medical concern from UV exposure?

• A. Photokeratitis
• B. Sunburn
• C. Cataracts
• D. Skin cancer

Answer: (A)

Ultraviolet light can injure the eyes, and the most common acute eye problem from UV exposure is photokeratitis, essentially a corneal sunburn. UV-B rays damage the surface of the cornea, so within hours you can feel sharp, burning pain, tearing, a gritty or foreign-body sensation, light sensitivity, and red, irritated eyes. This condition is typically seen after significant UV exposure in bright environments or from reflections off snow, water, or sand, making it a frequent urgent-eye complaint. It usually improves within a day or two with rest and relief measures like artificial tears, and prevention is straightforward—wear sunglasses that block all UV light and a wide-brim hat to cut exposure. In contrast, sunburn refers to a skin reaction, while cataracts and skin cancer are long-term effects of cumulative UV exposure rather than immediate concerns.