Snow Blindness: The Top 3 Things you Should Know | Minnesota Eye Consultants (2024)

FAQs

What does snow blindness do to your eyes? ›

Snow blindness, or photokeratitis, is temporary eye pain and discomfort after exposure to too much ultraviolet (UV) light. It's like a sunburn on your eyes. It's usually not serious and will heal on its own within a few days.

Snow blindness occurs due to exposure of UV-B on cornea that falls on earth due to depletion of O3 layer.

FIRST AID TREATMENT

❖ If you experience this, remove yourself from exposure by going into a darkened room or tent. ❖ Remove contact lenses until your eyes return to normal. ❖ Apply a cool compress to your eyes. Manage pain with over-the-counter medication.

Snow blindness treatment

There's not much your doctor can do to treat photokeratitis. Resting your eyes away from UV light is the best way to encourage healing. If you wear contact lenses, remove them until your symptoms have subsided.

Treat Snow Blindness with The EyeDoctors

With prompt and proper treatment, most patients fully recover within just a few days.

Visual snow syndrome is a disorder that causes you to see static. Some describe it as seeing things in a snow globe that's been shaken up. There are flickering dots throughout your field of vision.

Risk Factors

Visual snow may occur even years after hallucinogenic drug use, and even after only one time use. There may be a family history of visual snow or migraine. Investigations into scotopic sensitivity syndrome have identified similar features in ADHD, dyslexia, and chronic fatigue syndrome.

Snow blindness or sunburned eyes—also known as photokeratitis (“photo” for light and “keratitis” for inflammation of the cornea)—can sneak up on you.

Snow blindness occurs due to inflammation of cornea by UV-B radiation.

Redirecting Your Focus Elsewhere, Retraining Your Brain

Redirect your attention away from the visual disturbances and focus on the people, places, or objects behind them. Practicing this consistently teaches your brain that VSS symptoms, while uncomfortable, are not dangerous.

What glasses help with snow blindness? ›

Snow goggles can provide better coverage than regular sunglasses with their larger frames and snug fit. They serve not only to reduce glare but also can protect eyes from wind, snow,and other elements. Sunglasses should be worn to reduce exposure to UV rays.

“Once the wind kicks up stirring snow and other particles, goggles will be needed to protect your eyes from micro-debris damage as well as harmful UV rays. Goggles provide better protection against UV light, wind and debris.”

Snow blindness is a form of photokeratitis that is caused by UV rays reflected off ice and snow. Eye damage from UV rays is particularly common in the North and South Pole areas or in high mountains where the air is thinner and provides less protection from UV rays.

The medical community at large is still learning about visual snow; there is no definite known cause, nor is there a treatment that works for every patient. However, there remains hope: some patients are able to experience relief or even resolution of their symptoms with neuro-optometric treatment.

The leading causes of vision impairment and blindness at a global level are refractive errors and cataracts.

Snow blindness: a common form of photokeratitis

Snow blindness is a form of photokeratitis that is caused by UV rays reflected off ice and snow. Eye damage from UV rays is particularly common in the North and South Pole areas or in high mountains where the air is thinner and provides less protection from UV rays.

The product should be washed off well with soap and water to minimize irritation. Getting artificial snow in the eyes might cause mild pain and redness. However, there is the potential for serious eye injuries if the product is sprayed directly into the face.

The vitreous liquifies in a process known as syneresis. Synchysis scintillans appears as small white floaters that freely move in the posterior part of the eye, giving a snow globe effect. It is most commonly seen in eyes that have suffered from a degenerative disease and are end-stage. The condition is seen rarely.