Same thing can be had watching a welder, or a long day at the beach or in the snow.
I’ve had Welder’s eyes - very painful. I wasn’t blind but my eyes watered so much I couldn’t see clearly. Even though I knew better than watching a welder, if several are working you can get it anyway, out of the corner of your eye.
I don’t know why seamen rarely complain of it, but I’ll guess they learn not to stare at the sea & keep their eyes turned toward the boat.
Oh, when I was a very little kid my father was a welder and I remember the warnings from my mother. Those warnings worked very well for me, LOL. Thanks for reminding me - I can see my father in my mind’s eye even now with that face shield...