Arc eye, or welder’s flash, is an inflammation of the cornea, caused by the UV rays from the arc during welding. The symptoms, which appear a few hours to several hours after exposure, can include mild to severe pain, red watery eyes, sensitivity to light and the feeling of a foreign object in the eye. Typically, arc eye is temporary, but repeated or prolonged exposure can lead to permanent eye injury.
UV radiation can also affect exposed skin, causing “sunburn,” similar to the sunburns associated with overexposure to the sun’s UV rays. Longer exposure without protection can lead to second- and even third-degree burns.