Snow blindness, contrary to what the name suggests, does not cause blindness. People who reach the highest mountain peaks, but not only, are exposed to snow blindness. What are the causes and symptoms of snow blindness? What is the treatment?

Snow blindnessis an acute inflammation of the conjunctiva and the corneal epithelium caused by intense exposure to ultraviolet radiation that causes burns to these parts of the eye.

Snow blindness - causes

We are exposed to snow blindness especially in the mountains, because solar radiation is much greater there than at sea level. Every 1000 meters in altitude, the ultraviolet radiation increases by 6 - 8 percent.1Additionally, snow reflects 85 percent. solar radiation. Exposure to solar radiation is also increased by the ozone hole.1

Snow blindness is quite a common ailment among sunbathers who do not use sunglasses. Snow blindness can also be caused by spotlight, as the Duchess of Norway Mette-Marit found out.2The harsh sun and spotlight during the interview caused her facial skin burns and so-called snow blindness.

Snow blindness - symptoms

Symptoms of snow blindness appear 4-12 hours after the burn and these are:

  • eye pain - usually worsens when you move your eyes and can be so severe that it causes your eyelids to shrink
  • photophobia
  • tearing
  • feeling of sand in the eye
  • red eyes
  • swollen eyelids
  • headache

Snow blindness - treatment

You should rest in a dark room or tent to protect your eyes from light. It is also necessary to wear an eye dressing that protects against light.

Snow blindness can be temporary or permanent.

In addition, use cold compresses and rinse your eyes with clean water. To relieve pain in the eyes, you should use painkillers, e.g. paracetamol, as well as eye drops that dilate the pupils (dilating the pupils has an analgesic effect). To prevent the development of an infection, special eye drops and ointments are also used.

Healing snow blindness depends on the degree of eye damage.If it was not severe, complete recovery usually takes 48 to 72 hours. Otherwise, the patient must wear special glasses for the rest of his life to prevent further eye damage. This was the case of Wojciech Jaruzelski, who was transported to the Altai Krai in Siberia in 1941, where he worked felling trees in the taiga.3His eyes were irritated by the light reflecting off the snow so much that that until the end of his days he had to wear special lenses to prevent further damage to his eyesight.

Snow blindness - how to prevent?

To protect your eyes from snow blindness, you should wear glasses with a strong UV filter, but the special ones - designed to be worn in high mountain conditions. These are glasses with lenses that adjust to the level of light intensity. Effectively reduce all glare and reflections, providing full UV protection. In addition, they are resistant to mechanical damage. Additionally, it is equipped with side, rubber covers and soft temple tips. They should be worn at all times, even when there is no sun (UV-B radiation penetrates the clouds).

Sources:

1. Szymczak R., Snow blindness, "Mountains" No. 6 (181) June 2009

2. Norwegian princess suffers sunburn, http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/1983679.stm

3. Jaruzelski's glasses - why general Wojciech Jaruzelski wears the characteristic dark glasses?

Category:

Eye diseases and vision disorders