From childhood, we are taught that in no case should you look at the sparks from welding - it is harmful to the eyes. Why is it harmful? To understand this, one must have an understanding of the welding process.
This insidious radiation
Welding is most often used to connect metal parts, but it is also used when working with plastics and ceramics. Electric arc, electric current, gas flame, laser radiation, electron beam, friction and ultrasound can be used as energy sources for welding. To power the so-called welding arc, an alternating, constant or pulsating electric current is needed.
When asked whether it is harmful to look at welding, all experts answer: yes, it is harmful. This is not a myth at all. The fact is that during welding, a spectrum is released, which simultaneously consists of infrared, light and ultraviolet rays, and the higher the current intensity, the more the radiation power increases. Moreover, the brightness of the visible part of the spectrum is thousands of times higher than the dose permissible for humans. The ultraviolet and infrared ranges are not perceived by human vision, but they are able to affect the mucous membrane, cornea, retina and lens of the eye, causing burns and damage. In the professional slang of welders, this is called "catching a bunny", and in scientific medical language - electrophthalmia.
Ophthalmologist Vadim Bondar warns that observing welding can lead to photokeratitis. In fact, this is a burn of the cornea (the transparent layer of the eye that covers the iris).
We know perfectly well that welders themselves always wear special masks when working with a welding machine, observing safety precautions.
Promotional video:
Safety limit
“Sources of radiation created by man, including the energy of the welding arc, quite often lead to damage to the structure of the eye,” says ophthalmologist Daria Baryshnikova. True, if you watched welding at a distance of more than 15 meters, and not for long, then most likely nothing threatens your eyes: in this case, the ultraviolet waves have time to scatter before reaching you. But if you approach the welding machine at arm's length and look at the sparks for a long time, then you risk permanently damaging your eyesight.
If you don't believe, you can try the following experiment. Take any black object and place it for 15-25 minutes in the impact area of the welding machine. After the specified time, you will find that the black coating has become light, and in some places has burnt out. Welding has a similar effect on human eyes.
Scientists have experimentally calculated that with an arc current of 200 amperes, the maximum time for irradiation of the eyes with welding radiation at a distance of 1 meter from the source can be 45 seconds, at a distance of 10 meters - 75 minutes, at a distance of 30 meters - 11.1 hours. In this case, it is dangerous to observe even the reflection of the arc on various surfaces. It is also harmful when the source is on the side of a person.
How to identify ophthalmia
“Complex photochemical processes in the cornea can lead not to an instant onset of symptoms, but to a delayed one,” warns Daria Baryshnikova. “Often, vision problems begin after 4-6 hours, when a person has already forgotten about his meeting with the irritant.”
The fact that you "caught a bunny" will be indicated by white spots flashing before your eyes, pain and "sand" in the eyes, their redness and tearing, photophobia, corneal opacity.
But there may be more serious consequences. With second-degree burns, corneal erosion begins, it becomes noticeably cloudy, films are separated from the conjunctiva, and bubbles appear on the skin. With third-degree burns, you see everything as if through frosted glass, necrotic skin changes occur. Burns of the fourth degree are evidenced by a significant loss of vision, necrosis of the tissues of the eye and conjunctiva.
What to do if you get burned
In case of minor burns, first of all, it is necessary to rinse the eyes with plenty of cold water or a weak solution of potassium permanganate, drip eye drops, such as albucid, taufon or sodium sulfacil. If your face is also affected (and this happens often), then attach a damp towel to it. It does not interfere with taking pain relievers.
You can try to make lotions for two hours: put compresses with cold water on closed eyelids or with tincture of oak bark, chamomile, slices of raw potatoes are also suitable for this. Tea bags, which are immersed in warm water, and then put on the eyelids for about 20 minutes, also help well. But it is still better to go to an ophthalmologist's appointment in the near future.
If you have a severe burn or mechanical particles get into your eyes, then do not try to heal yourself: this is fraught with complete loss of vision. Urgently see an ophthalmologist or call an ambulance. Keep your eyes closed if possible. The specialist will remove foreign particles, prescribe treatment with ointments, drops and drugs. In some cases, surgery is necessary.
Until a complete cure, it is recommended to protect your eyes from bright light, stay in darkened rooms, and go outside only in sunglasses.
Daria Lyubimskaya