How to protect your eyes from snow

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By Tania Navarro posted on 03 March 2015 | Reading time: 3 Minutes | Last update 03 October 2018

Article

If you are still going to take advantage of this remaining month of snow, do not forget to pay attention to these tips on how to protect your eyesight because, with the appropriate safety measures, you will avoid injuries and illnesses.

Although at first it may seem like it's not that big of a deal, many eye injuries occur due to the lack of eye protection on our outings in the snow.

To give us an idea, snow reflects 80% of sunlight, 4 times more than water (20%) or sand, which reflects a minimum of 10% and a maximum, approximately. of 25%. Furthermore, at higher levels, 10% must be added to this reflection for every thousand meters of height. It is even essential to wear them even if it is cloudy and the weather is bad.

For this reason we cannot forget toinvest money in purchasing good sunglassesand not give us "pocket pain" with it. These have to be made of glass or organic and never plastic, since this allows UV rays to pass through. It is advisable that the windows have polarized filters to avoid annoying reflections. Here you have more tips on how to choose snow goggles.

In addition, the glasses no longer only protect the eyes from the sun's radiation, but on the other hand the wind dries out the eyes and if we are skiing or descending with the snowboard at full speed, we will have to close them on multiple occasions, which will generate discomfort and even risk of losing control.

And finally, there may be particles suspended in the air or small ice crystals that can get into our eyes, causing itching and discomfort.

If you need glasses and use contact lenses, it is best that the ones you use for snow are prescription and approved. In addition to all the reasons I have given you, contact lenses make your eyes dry, especially with the cold of winter, the snow and the high altitude.

Don't forget children and adolescents, who have less eye protection than adults (up to 6 times less).

Consequences of wearing sunglasses in the snow

Diseases such as photokeratitis can occur, where the tissues of the eye burn, some types of cataracts can be accelerated, or the process of macular degeneration, which usually occurs in elderly people. It is known as "snow blindness." If this injury occurs, you should go to a specialist and in the meantime rest in a dark place with your eyes closed, cover them and do not use contact lenses for some time.
Intense pain may appear a few hours after having been in the snow.
Red eyes, feeling of grit and tearing.
Loss of visual acuity.
Intolerance to light.
Conjunctivitis.
Carcinoma in the cornea or conjunctiva.