Superficial keratitis is commonly associated with which activity?

• A. Excessive screen time.
• B. Long contact lens wear.
• C. Welding without eye protection.
• D. Swimming in chlorinated pools.

Answer: (C)

Superficial keratitis, or photokeratitis, is damage to the corneal epithelium caused by ultraviolet light. The classic setting is arc welding without eye protection, because the welding arc emits intense UV radiation that can injure the cornea within hours of exposure. Wearing appropriate eye protection with UV-blocking filters prevents this injury, making welding without protection the most commonly associated activity. Other activities may irritate the eye or cause different problems (dry eye from screen time, irritation from chlorine in pools, or infection from contact lenses), but they do not produce the characteristic UV-induced corneal surface injury seen with unprotected welding.