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Actinic conjunctivitis

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Ogheneochuko Ajari, MB.BS, MS [2]

Synonyms and keywords: Klieg conjunctivitis, eyeburn, arc-flash, welders conjunctivitis, flash keratoconjunctivitis, actinic ray, ultraviolet ray ophthalmia

Overview

Overview

Actinic conjunctivitis is an eye condition that results from prolonged exposure to ultraviolet rays. Symptoms include redness and swelling of the eyes. Actinic conjunctivitis is most commonly caused by prolonged exposure to Klieg lights, therapeutic lamps, and acetylene torches.[1]

Historical Perspective

Historical Perspective

Actinic conjunctivitis is often a condition reported by people who claim to have viewed a UFO.[2] In particular the condition is mentioned under the name of Klieg Conjunctivitis in association with the mothman case in Point Pleasant, West Virginia (Point Pleasant) in John A. Keel’s book The Mothman Prophecies.

Causes

Causes

Common Causes

Causes by Organ System

Cardiovascular No underlying causes
Chemical/Poisoning No underlying causes
Dental No underlying causes
Dermatologic No underlying causes
Drug Side Effect No underlying causes
Ear Nose Throat No underlying causes
Endocrine No underlying causes
Environmental Sunlight, ultraviolet radiation
Gastroenterologic No underlying causes
Genetic No underlying causes
Hematologic No underlying causes
Iatrogenic Therapeutic lamps
Infectious Disease No underlying causes
Musculoskeletal/Orthopedic No underlying causes
Neurologic No underlying causes
Nutritional/Metabolic No underlying causes
Obstetric/Gynecologic No underlying causes
Oncologic No underlying causes
Ophthalmologic No underlying causes
Overdose/Toxicity No underlying causes
Psychiatric No underlying causes
Pulmonary No underlying causes
Renal/Electrolyte No underlying causes
Rheumatology/Immunology/Allergy No underlying causes
Sexual No underlying causes
Trauma No underlying causes
Urologic No underlying causes
Miscellaneous Acetylene torches, arc welding

Causes in Alphabetical Order

References

References

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