Two stupid mistakes in one dat. Flashed without eye protection.

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I had my the first flash today twice. Predictably while trying to show my son how to weld. I left the welder on by accident and got too close and FLASH, the wire popped off the end of the MIG gun and there was a momentary flash. Nothing was between me and the flash except my normal safety glasses I always wear in the shop. I have NEVER flashed myself before. Yeah it was stupid but now I am concerned. I don't see any spots or anything so I am hoping it was too brief to have an effect. I immediately yanked the gun back of course. The other time was through my miller digital elite lends but the darkening didn't kick in. I left it in grind mode like an idiot. The helmet still seemed to filter it to yellow color and again I have no spots. Two things I have never done in over 2 years of welding. I must be getting senile. So what do you all think, should I go see an eye doc or am I probably good since I have no after effects that are discernible?Victor Journeyman OA TorchVictor Edge RegulatorsLincoln 180HD (240v) MIG/FCAWShark LT v7 CADMiller Digital Elite Helmet35 Milligrams of Insanity
Reply:Your eyes may be sore in the morning.  After two or three days you'll prolly be fine.  Don't rub them, it only makes it worse.  And don't look at the sun either, your eyes will burn and tear up.My name's not Jim....
Reply:a small flash like that you should be fine. soak a bit of flannel in cold tea and put it over your (closed) eyes before bed, it will help take the heat out.
Reply:Now you can start saying you're a weldor. Get used to it, it won't be the last time this happens. Most clear safety glasses and proscription glasses will help block UV. This can help with small flashes. Your eyes may feel a bit itchy and full of sand tomorrow if you got yourself good, but you should be fine.IIRC Miller lists their AD hoods as sufficient to block UV even in the off mode. You'll see spots for a while, but won't really get hurt that bad..No government ever voluntarily reduces itself in size. Government programs, once launched, never disappear. Actually, a government bureau is the nearest thing to eternal life we'll ever see on this earth! Ronald Reagan
Reply:There won't be any queston about it when you need to see the doc. You'll be trying to get to sleep and your eyes will hurt like you've got sand in them. You're probably fine. You'll see lots of spots before your eyes are really burned. A fine helmet like yours protects your eyes no matter what mode it is in. It will be hard to see and it may be uncomfortable but it still blocks the UV light. Just don't try weld that way on purpose.Tough as nails and damn near as smart
Reply:Rells, no worse than having your picture taken with the old “Flash Bulb” cameras. The real danger is when the arc light sneaks in around the back of your head over a period of hours. Just say, “Cheese”.
Reply:If there is flourescent lighting nearby stare at the light for about 1 Min after flashing yourself..You will not have the "Sand" in the eye syndrome at all..I don't know how it works but it does..Learned that back in the '70'S and still do it on occasion today..Never any problems.....zap!I am not completely insane..Some parts are missing Professional Driver on a closed course....Do not attempt.Just because I'm a  dumbass don't mean that you can be too.So DON'T try any of this **** l do at home.
Reply:ill have to remember that zap!!
Reply:I think you should be good.A momentary flash is no worry.
Reply:For a small exposure like that I wouldn't worry.  It's more when you are actually watching an arc for a longer period of time, or multiple short exposures that you'll feel something.  Nowadays most safety glasses provide enough protection to protect you from small exposures anyways.
Reply:If a little flash like that was all it would take to go see a doctor, I think most weldors would be legaly blind. The sand in the eye feeling you get can be annoying, but it will remind you (hopefully) not to do that again. And don't worry about the flash while you were wearing your helmet. The visible light shade in grind mode is 3 or 4 I think, but most helmets block UV at shade 14 regardless of what the visible shade is at, if I'm not mistaken.Interesting trick zapster, I'll have to try that next time.
Reply:I was so used to my cheap harbor Freight solar hood that was always on, now I got a Miller with batteries and a switch and I forget to turn it on every time. It still filters out a lot when it's off but still a pretty bright flash! Hasn't seemed to affect me yet.Miller Challenger 172Miller Thunderbolt AC/DC 225/150Miller Maxstar 150 STLVictor 100CVictor JourneymanOxweld OAHarris O/ASmith O/A little torchNo, that's not my car.
Reply:Originally Posted by zapsterIf there is flourescent lighting nearby stare at the light for about 1 Min after flashing yourself..You will not have the "Sand" in the eye syndrome at all..I don't know how it works but it does..Learned that back in the '70'S and still do it on occasion today..Never any problems.....zap!
Reply:I got a small flash yesterday and my eyes are a little sore bit I may just be really tired...lol. Also I was tack welding all day sunday without a mask and today my face is feeling like it is sunburned. What do you guys do for this?? I have been putting hand cream on my face skin to get moisture back in to the skin. It seems to be working a little.
Reply:Originally Posted by Stickbug What do you guys do for this?? .
Reply:Originally Posted by StickbugI got a small flash yesterday and my eyes are a little sore bit I may just be really tired...lol. Also I was tack welding all day sunday without a mask and today my face is feeling like it is sunburned. What do you guys do for this??
Reply:[QUOTE=Grimm1;367964Interesting trick zapster, I'll have to try that next time.[/QUOTE]next time hell, im going out in the shop right now and try it out..and to the OP..its not a big deal.  you may experience minor discomfort, isnt that what the dentist says?