Keratitis solaris and sunbeds.
Keratitis solaris is caused by ultraviolet radiation in the range 200-320 nm. The threshold dose for keratitis solaris is 40 J/m2 for short-term exposure. We measured the emission spectra of 22 sunbeds in the range 250-500 nm with a high-resolution double monochromator and calculated the exposure times for the threshold dose of keratitis solaris. Depending on the type of lamp used, the exposure times ranged from 90 s to 3.5 h. Lamps with short exposure times for keratitis solaris can induce keratitis solaris if protective goggles are not used (e.g., to achieve a uniform tan of the eye area) and if the eyes are opened briefly several times, perhaps, to look at a watch. Generally, sunbed users have no way of ascertaining the lamp type or its emission spectrum and of determining the exposure time for the threshold dose of keratitis solaris.
Daxecker
F
F
University Clinic for Ophthalmology, University of Innsbruck, Austria.
Blumthaler
M
M
Ambach
W
W
D003315:Cornea / Q000528:radiation effects*; D004307:Dose-Response Relationship, Radiation; D006801:Humans; D007637:Keratoconjunctivitis / Q000209:etiology*; D011832:Radiation Injuries / Q000209:etiology*; D012684:Sensory Thresholds; D014466:Ultraviolet Rays / Q000009:adverse effects*