Photokeratitis among Medical Staff after Exposure to UV Light Germicidal Lamps in Queen Alia Military Hospital in Covid-19 Time

Aim: to evaluate cases of photokeratitis which occurred after exposure to UV light germicidal lamps. Method: this retrospective study was conducted at the ophthalmology clinic of queen Alia Military Hospital between April 2020 and January 2021. After using UV light germicidal lamps at queen Alia Military Hospital in covid-19 time cases of photokeratitis among medical staff were noted. The medical records of those patients were reviewed regarding age, gender, medical history, ocular symptoms and outcome of medical treatment. The outcome of ocular examination at presentation and after treatment were recorded. The obtained data was analyzed. Results: Twenty patients aged between 30 and 35 years (mean 33±1.1 years). 75% of them were females. The main time interval between exposure and onset of symptoms was eight hours. The most common presenting symptoms were pain and tearing. On the other hand, conjunctival injection and punctate corneal erosions were the most common findings at presentation. Dramatic improvement occurred on the 3rd day post treatment and completed resolution of signs and symptoms was achieved by the 7th day without any sequalae. Conclusion: There are many simple precautions that medical personnel can take to limit exposure to UV radiation such as spending short time as little as possible in environments with intensive UV radiation using goggles, UV-protective hydrogel or hard gas permeable contact lenses, and sunglasses and avoid looking diirectly at the UV light emitting devices. More over the inspection of lighting systems in public areas and the legislative regulation of this issue are of great importance