Eyes hurt after welding

[gaza01]

I use an Alien helmet and have the shade turned up to 13. Sensitivty set to max and and delay set for the longest possible time.
I'm a hobby welder so when I do weld it's only small bits.
Anyway when I'm done welding the back of my eyes ache slightly. This lasts for a few days. At night while driving car lights seem more dazzling.
Obviously this is quite concerning.
I wear glasses and thinking of getting cheater lens so I can move further away while welding.
Would a more expensive helmet help?
Anyone had anything similar happen to them?

 

[TEO]

I've had the same issue & replaced the helmet I was using at the time as I couldn't get the battery to recharge & hold a charge. I think there was just a fractional almost imperceptible delay in activation.
However, the eye protection from a mid priced lid should be more than adequate and the same as lids in the upper price range. I think the top end helmets are designed to be comfortable for extended even continuous use.

 

[voipio]

Could it be the effects of welding fumes?

 

[hotponyshoes]

It's because you have the helmet set.to 13
You will be straining to see the weld

Try 9 or 10

 

[Taylormade100]

Are you welding indoors? The light could be bouncing around the room and coming into the back of your helmet.

 

[Morrisman]

Delay set to max? Is that reaction time? Do you get a quick flash every time you start welding?

 

[voipio]

The delay setting normally affects the time taken from the stimulus from the arc stopping, to when the helmet lens goes to it's light state.

 

[dave h 2]

Delay set to max? Is that reaction time? Do you get a quick flash every time you start welding?

At least it can't be mild arc eye as the UV filter being permanent has nothing to do with the darkness setting.

 

[Bobupndown]

Never had a problem even using Lidl's finest welding helmet.

 

[Seadog]

As mentioned, reflected UV. Anything white, a shirt or top for example.

 

[Craig-SM]

Chester lens really help if you wear glasses, I can tell the difference straight away between my helmet with one fitted to the other that doesn’t.
Delay should be minimal rather than maximum but no doubt you loose sight of what you’re doing once the lens darkens but again that could be because of your eyesight so again a cheater lens could help if that’s the case as would reducing the shade

 

[Smallfry]

My eyes are sensitive to light, so much so I try to avoid driving in the dark now. Headlights are killing. Bright sunshine gives me headaches sometimes. I have delay turned to minimum.

I wear glasses under the helmet and have the setting down to 9 so I can easily see what I am doing. Just about seeing the arc is no good really. Only get eye ache ? after using higher power on thick stuff. As said, more likely reflected light. The fumes and smoke do not do ones eyes any favours either.

 

[Johnnybravo]

We had it at a previous company I worked for. They issued Esab helmets. All were ok apart from one. First thought to be the bloke it had been issued to being a Pratt. Got given another one. No complaints. His original one got issued to someone else. They also complained. Tried it on four people in the end. All complained. No noticeable differences to any of the others. Sales rep replaced it ,no quibble and never had the issue again.

 

[gaza01]

Appreciate the responses. Going to start assuming it's reflected UV. This is my set up where i do most of my welding. Only small bits that are done on the section of a cut down I beam on the bencch (so not directly on the ply lol) The height from the top of the I beam to the white ceiling is just over 1m. So assuming this could potentially be the issue? All the walls and floor are dark coloured. I've seen people attach a fabric hood on helmet to block out external light. Available on ebay so will order and see how I get on

 

[Smallfry]

I can see the white ceiling would aggravate the problem. Also having the hood on will help you see the weld pool, rather than just the arc. This will hopefully allow you to turn down the lens setting.

 

[chrismac]

I use an Alien helmet and have the shade turned up to 13. Sensitivty set to max and and delay set for the longest possible time.
I'm a hobby welder so when I do weld it's only small bits.
Anyway when I'm done welding the back of my eyes ache slightly. This lasts for a few days. At night while driving car lights seem more dazzling.
Obviously this is quite concerning.
I wear glasses and thinking of getting cheater lens so I can move further away while welding.
Would a more expensive helmet help?
Anyone had anything similar happen to them?

If you are going to use a cheater glass, you could also wear a pair of safety glasses to try and eliminate any chance of UV glare on your eyes, I would advise to use the darkest lens you can use without peering, I always default to shade 11, only go to 10 or 9 on TIG on low amps, very low amps, where the clear lens either needs to come out or changed for a new one to be viewing crystal clear, Mig I would be a minimum of 11, going darker if I can.

 

[Stupoty]

My new mask was giving me little flashes , the batteries had gone bad , it was showing the low batt led to be fair. new batteries and the reaction time is back to normal.

Stu

 

[chrismac]

My new mask was giving me little flashes , the batteries had gone bad , it was showing the low batt led to be fair. new batteries and the reaction time is back to normal.

Stu

The good thing is all you were seeing was a bright light, not getting arc eye (a flash) due to the lens between your eyes and the UV rays.

 

[Stupoty]

The good thing is all you were seeing was a bright light, not getting arc eye (a flash) due to the lens between your eyes and the UV rays.

Yeah , very true , I have had the hurt'ie eyes from the brightness before and maybe reflected UV , I notice this has been much worse if I ware light coloured shirt as it seems to reflect up the bottom of the mask if I'm at a weird angle. Might be made worse if your at a high shade and eyes are opened up to see the dark picture through shade 13.

Did o.p. mention what amps he's welding at ?

Stu

 

[pedrobedro]

Used my welder the other and had to get my old passive helmet out. The battery had come loose and the clip on the lid that holds it in has broken off so it looks like I need a replacement helmet. Looking at true colour on ebay now prices have come down a bit.