Ophthalmia Snow (Snow Blindness)

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Ophthalmia Snow (Snow Blindness) is a lesion of the cornea of ​​the eye caused by exposure to a significant amount of ultraviolet rays reflected from the snow.

Cause

Ophthalmia Snowis is caused by prolonged exposure to strong ultraviolet radiation reflected from snow or ice. Ultraviolet rays damage the surface cells of the cornea of ​​the eye.

Symptoms

The main symptoms of Ophthalmia Snow:

1. Cutting and burning in the eyes
2. Redness of the eyes
3. Tearing
4. Photophobia
5. Sudden vision loss or temporary blindness

These symptoms usually appear 6-12 hours after exposure to bright light and peak after 12-24 hours.

Treatment

1. Complete closure and rest of the eyes for 24-48 hours
2. Pain relieving drops
3. Moisturizing drops
4. Wearing sunglasses

If you follow your doctor's recommendations, symptoms usually go away within 1-3 days. Full restoration of vision occurs within 1-2 weeks.

Prevention

For the prevention of Ophthalmia Snow, it is recommended:

1. Wear sunglasses with UV filters
2. Use protective cream for eyes and lips
3. Take breaks when exposed to bright sun
4. Avoid snow and ice on sunny days

Timely treatment and prevention help to avoid serious complications and quickly restore vision in Ophthalmia Snow.

Ophthalmia Snow or Snow Blindness is an acute injury to corneal tissue that occurs when the surface of the cornea is exposed to ultraviolet rays in the presence of strong reflected light produced by ice. It is often observed during the season of increased solar activity. The development of acute eye injury is possible both when working at heights in the mountains and near bodies of ice, this could be a glacier or a river. Snow blindness can also be caused by damaging the eye with objects or hands that have particles of broken ice on them.

The main symptom is acute swelling and clouding of the cornea, which most often begins immediately after exposure to ice. In snow blindness, the cornea becomes uneven, white and cloudy, and the pupil dilates. As swelling increases, the cornea becomes difficult to see and the person may feel severe pain in the eye. Often, the cornea also develops tears or opacities, which can lead to complete loss of vision.

Ophthalmia snow or snow blindness is a sudden lesion of the mucous membrane of the ocular cornea. The disease is also known as snow blindness and snow sickness. Occurs due to a large number of bright light rays hitting the surface of the retina, and then a sharp change in temperature. Very often this condition occurs from a solar eclipse, when after a long stay in bright light a person only needs to get on a frosty street and the picture will change dramatically. The first changes appear a few seconds after going outside. As a result, intraocular tissues are exposed to ultraviolet waves with wavelengths up to 400 nm. High levels of these waves injure the visual cells of the retina and destroy their nerve endings. There is a feeling of blinding rays diverging from the center. Often accompanied by photophobia and severe pain in the eyes due to burns from light rays. The patient cannot look into direct sunlight. This is due to the fact that light rays blind the nervous tissue of the visual system and lead to its rapid damage. This condition occurs during a thunderstorm, during fog from clouds (the day after rain), during a snowstorm, during ice, during clear weather. The duration of this state depends on the light intensity and air temperature. Thus, the higher the intensity