Snow blindness

Snow blindness (pronounced: /snoʊ ˈblaɪndnɪs/) is a temporary, usually painful, loss of vision due to overexposure of the eyes to ultraviolet (UV) light, typically from the sun's rays reflecting off a snow-covered surface. The medical term for this condition is photokeratitis (pronounced: /ˌfoʊtoʊkɛrəˈtaɪrɪs/).

Etymology

The term "snow blindness" is derived from the English words "snow", referring to the frozen precipitation that often reflects sunlight, and "blindness", indicating a loss of vision. The term "photokeratitis" is derived from the Greek words "photo-", meaning light, "kerato-", referring to the cornea, and "-itis", a suffix used in medicine to denote inflammation.

Symptoms

Symptoms of snow blindness may include:

• Pain in the eyes
• Sensitivity to light
• Blurred vision
• The feeling of grit in the eyes
• Headache
• Redness in the eyes
• Temporary loss of vision

Prevention and Treatment

Prevention of snow blindness primarily involves protecting the eyes from UV light, typically by wearing sunglasses or goggles that block UV rays. Treatment usually involves staying in a darkened room, using lubricating eye drops, and taking pain relievers if necessary. In severe cases, a doctor may prescribe antibiotic eye drops to prevent infection.

Related Terms

• Photokeratitis
• Ultraviolet
• Vision
• Pain
• Headache
• Redness

External links

• Medical encyclopedia article on Snow blindness
• Wikipedia's article - Snow blindness

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