Important Announcement: We've partnered with ReFocus Eye Health to best focus on providing the best patient care possible. Of course, our doctors and staff will remain the same but our name, logo, and website will be updated as we integrate with the ReFocus family of eye clinics. This will not affect your appointments or your patient experience in the least. 

Skip to main content
Call Us Request an Appointment

Snow Blindness

Ophthalmology Physicians & Surgeons, PC Blog Snow Blindness

It’s finally winter and you’re planning on going to the slopes. A few things to remember about snow before you head out there! 

Sunburn On the Eye

Though the sun rays are not as strong in the winter as in the summer, it is quite possible to get sunburned during the winter. Any prolonged exposure to the sun can result in burns on the body. Two additional factors can increase your risk of getting burned. 

  1. Altitude- Increased altitudes shorten the distance between you and the sun, making the exposure more intense. The World Health Organization has quoted that with every 1,000 meter increase in altitude, UV levels begin to elevate 10%-12%. 

  2. Snow- Snow acts as a highly effective reflector. You are then exposed to both the UV rays that hit you directly and indirectly from the rays that hit the snow first then reflect onto you.

What Happens If Your Eyes Get Burned? 

 PHOTOKERATITIS

The cornea, the front portion of the eye, burns from the sunrays, leading to symptoms of pain, sensitivity to the light, large reduction in vision, foreign body sensation, red eyelids, headaches, and even glare and halo around lights. So what can be done to prevent it? 

WEAR PROTECTIVE GOGGLES

Wearing snow goggles or sunglasses that wrap around the head. Ensure the lens provides 100% of UV-A and UV-B rays. 

If you are concerned about your eyes or have symptoms similar to what is listed above, please contact the office for a visit.

Author
Cindy Kweon, OD Cindy Kweon, OD Cindy Kweon, OD, (pronounced Kwon) is a board-certified comprehensive optometrist at Ophthalmology Physicians & Surgeons, PC. She is dedicated to providing high-quality care to patients in Hatboro, North Wales, and Levittown, Pennsylvania. Dr. Kweon received her bachelor’s degree in biology from the University of Maryland, College Park, and went on to earn her doctoral degree in optometry from Salus University in Elkins Park. She underwent extensive clinical training in the pediatrics and comprehensive clinic at The Eye Institute in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; Kay, Tabas, Niknam & DiDomenico Ophthalmology Associates in Bala Cynwyd, Pennsylvania; Allentown VA Clinic; and Century Eye Care in Langhorne, Pennsylvania. In addition to her training, Dr. Kweon is an active member of the American Optometric Association and Pennsylvania Optometric Association. To better serve a diverse population, Dr. Kweon is fluent in both English and Korean.

You Might Also Enjoy...

What is a Conjunctivitis?
The conjunctiva is a clear tissue that covers the front part of the eye, specifically the white of the eye (sclera) and the inside of the eyelids. The conjunctiva is a mucous membrane that aids in tear production and is part of the ocular immune system.

Sports Vision
When athletes undergo a comprehensive vision examination, it is important to have good vision. However, it goes beyond just checking for 20/20 vision. There are many additional components that allow for good athleticism, including: 

What Ocular Conditions Are More Frequent at Age 40?
The most frequent ocular condition that starts at this age is Presbyopia. This is a normal aging process and cannot be considered as a true disease. Presbyopia is the normal progressive loss of the ability to focus and see things close up.

Eye Tearing
Patients can experience eye tearing or watery eyes for multiple different reasons, some of the more frequent causes are described below. Dry environments (as in the winter being indoor with the heater on), wind, pollens or allergens can cause dryness an

Dry Eyes and Makeup
Dry eyes is a very prevalent ocular condition, it affects millions of people every year. There are many factors that contribute to whether someone experiences dry eyes. No matter what the cause of one's dry eye is, makeup can amplify the problem.