Snow blindness, also known as photokeratitis, is an eye condition caused by overexposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun’s rays (American Academy of Ophthalmology, 2020). It is most commonly observed in individuals who spend extended periods of time in bright, snow-covered environments, such as mountains and ski slopes. In this article, we will discuss the causes, symptoms, and treatment of snow blindness.
Causes
Snow blindness occurs when the sun’s UV radiation reflects off of the snow and into an individual’s eyes (American Academy of Ophthalmology, 2020). The reflective properties of snow increase the intensity of the UV radiation, making it more likely for an individual to experience photokeratitis. In addition, the elevation at which snow blindness is most common further increases the intensity of the UV radiation, making it even more likely for an individual to experience a photokeratitis.
Symptoms
The symptoms of snow blindness are typically experienced within a few hours of overexposure to the sun’s UV radiation (American Academy of Ophthalmology, 2020). Common symptoms include redness of the eyes, pain, tearing, and a feeling of grit in the eyes. In some cases, individuals may also experience temporary vision loss.
Treatment
The treatment for snow blindness typically involves the use of eye drops or ointments (American Academy of Ophthalmology, 2020). These medications can help to reduce the symptoms of photokeratitis. In addition, individuals should avoid further exposure to UV radiation until the symptoms have completely subsided.
Conclusion
In conclusion, snow blindness is an eye condition caused by overexposure to UV radiation from the sun’s rays, which is most commonly observed in individuals who spend extended periods of time in bright, snow-covered environments. Common symptoms include redness of the eyes, pain, tearing, and a feeling of grit in the eyes. The treatment for snow blindness typically involves the use of eye drops or ointments and avoiding further exposure to UV radiation until the symptoms have completely subsided.
References
American Academy of Ophthalmology. (2020). Snow Blindness. Retrieved from https://www.aao.org/eye-health/diseases/snow-blindness-photokeratitis