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🇹🇼 Taiwan /Health & Science

Student's Corneas Blister After 4 Hours Beach Sun Exposure, Nearly Blinded

From Liberty Times · () Chinese

Translated from Chinese, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Outcome reported
  • A young woman developed a rare condition causing blisters on her corneas after spending four hours at the beach without adequate sun protection.
  • Doctors treated her with artificial tears and antibiotics, and her vision returned to normal within three days due to the cornea's regenerative capabilities.
  • The incident highlights the importance of wearing UV-blocking sunglasses, especially in sunny coastal areas, to prevent photokeratitis.

A 22-year-old university student experienced severe eye pain, blurred vision, and light sensitivity after a four-hour beach trip in Pingtung, Taiwan. Her right eye's cornea developed numerous blisters, resembling soda bubbles, while her left eye showed smaller, denser blisters. Doctors diagnosed her with a rare case of photokeratitis, a condition caused by excessive UV exposure.

The patient's right eye cornea almost entirely developed many blisters.

— Hong Qi-tingDescribing the severity of the condition.

Dr. Hong Qi-ting, CEO of Dart Yang Eye Care Alliance, explained that high UV index levels, common in southern Taiwan from May to September, are the primary cause. The cornea, the eye's first line of defense against UV rays, can suffer DNA damage. In severe cases, like the student's, UV radiation can cause corneal epithelial cells to detach, exposing sensitive nerve endings and leading to intense pain, light aversion, and a foreign body sensation.

The corneal epithelial cells' self-regenerative ability is extremely strong.

— Hong Qi-tingExplaining the rapid recovery.

Fortunately, the student's condition improved within three days with artificial tears and antibiotic treatment, thanks to the cornea's strong self-regenerative capacity. Her vision returned to 1.0. A crucial factor in her injury was the sunglasses she wore. While her friends' sunglasses had UV400 protection, blocking nearly 100% of UV rays, hers were temporary, dark-looking glasses without this certification.

The ultraviolet index is the key cause of bullous solar keratopathy.

— Hong Qi-tingIdentifying the primary cause of the injury.

Doctors emphasize that while photokeratitis is less common in urban settings due to building shade, it poses a significant risk during beach activities. The case serves as a stark reminder for the public to choose certified UV-blocking sunglasses when exposed to prolonged sunlight, particularly in coastal environments.

Higher doses of ultraviolet light can cause corneal epithelial detachment and bubble formation, and even cell apoptosis.

— Hong Qi-tingDetailing the mechanism of UV damage to the cornea.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Liberty Times in Chinese. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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