How to Diagnose Snow Blindness

Snow blindness is the loss of vision associated with inflammation of the cornea and conjunctiva, which is caused by exposure to ultraviolet rays and sunlight reflecting off the snow. The loss of vision may be temporary, or it could be permanent.

Things You'll Need

• Eye pads
• Gauze
• Eye drops
• Cold compresses
• Sunglasses
• Ophthalmologist

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Instructions

Consider Ways to Diagnose Snow Blindness

• 1

  Recognize snow blindness as an extremely painful condition resulting in keratitis (inflammation of the cornea). Keratitis is a result of exposure of unprotected eyes to ultraviolet rays.

• 2

  Realize the most likely place to experience snow blindness is on the snow or ice in polar regions and high altitudes. These areas are especially conducive to producing the glare that causes snow blindness.

• 3

  Find an eye care specialist to diagnose snow blindness if your cornea and conjunctiva feel sunburned. The conjunctiva is the mucous membrane lining the inner surface of the eyelid and the outer surface of the eyeball.

• 4

  Consider welders a prime candidate for arc eye, which features the same burn effect as snow blindness.

• 5

  Keep in mind that symptoms to diagnose snow blindness may not show up for a few hours. Bloodshot eyes and teary eyes may be the first symptoms noticed.

• 6

  Expect the eyes to swell shut in more serious cases of snow blindness. Immediate medical attention is needed to reduce the chances of complete loss of vision.

Review Treatment Options for Snow Blindness

• 7

  Remove contact lenses as soon as snow blindness is suspected. The additional irritant of the lenses can intensify the damage to the cornea.

• 8

  Abstain from the temptation to rub the eyes. This will only aggravate the condition.

• 9

  Discover the use of cold damp compresses to take the sting out of the burn.

• 10

  Expedite the healing process by using gauze bandages or thick eye pads to cover the eyes. Protection from light and limited eyelid movement will facilitate healing.

• 11

  Wear sunglasses at all times when outdoors, even after symptoms are gone. Once eyes have been damaged by snow blindness, precautions must be taken to avoid new exposure to intense glare and ultraviolet rays.

• 12

  Take over-the-counter pain medication to ease the pain during the healing process. If heavier medication is required to control the pain level, see your physician immediately.