An optician is warning holidaymakers concerning the risks of extended UV gentle publicity, particularly when magnified by reflections off the snow.
Wut Win, an optician at prescription glasses retailer Really feel Good Contacts has shared important eye well being recommendation for these heading to the piste quickly:
“UV rays could be one of many greatest risk to our eyes. Whereas the significance of sun shades throughout summer time months is extensively recognized, many underestimate the hazards related to the intense winter solar. Snow itself can mirror greater than 80 p.c of UV rays which is the place snow blindness will get its identify. Excessive sports activities reminiscent of mountaineering, snowboarding, and snowboarding are achieved in excessive altitude the place the solar’s UV rays are stronger and there’s normally extra snow. Snow blindness, or photokeratitis, occurs when UV gentle enters your cornea and the delicate outer layer (the epithelium) turns into irritated and infected, leading to a burning or itchy sensation,” says Wut.
Signs of snow blindness embrace excessive sensitivity to gentle, blurred imaginative and prescient, and a gritty feeling within the eyes. Your signs shall be extra extreme, the longer you’re uncovered to UV rays. Extreme snow blindness may cause intense tearing and irritation, eyelid swelling and spasms, extreme complications and even non permanent imaginative and prescient loss. Uncommon circumstances of snow-blindness can result in photo voltaic retinopathy which may end up in everlasting imaginative and prescient loss.
To stop snow-blindness from taking place within the first place, you must put on snow or sports activities goggles with 100% UVA and UVB safety earlier than heading out. These function facet shields or a tender rubber flange, blocking out UV gentle from all totally different angles. If you’re not snowboarding, wrap sun shades are one other nice alternative as they provide most safety from dangerous UV rays, attributable to their model and shut match. Go for polarised lenses as they’ve a filter which blocks intense mirrored gentle, decreasing glare and discomfort.
When you expertise signs of snow blindness, it’s vital to not panic. Search shelter in a darkish room and for those who put on contact lenses, take away them instantly till you may see usually once more. Dampen a fabric in chilly water and place it over your closed eyelids to supply non permanent reduction. Over-the-counter painkillers also can assist subdue any emotions of discomfort. Signs of snow blindness normally go away on their very own inside 1-2 days. Nonetheless, ought to your signs persist longer than 1-2 days or if signs worsen after 24 hours, you must see an eye fixed care skilled instantly.
Wut added: “Along with recognising the hazards of snow blindness, it’s vital to contemplate the general impacts that the chilly climate might have in your eyes whenever you’re snowboarding or snowboarding. Throughout winter months, the chilly air can’t maintain as a lot water, mixed with indoor heating, usually results in drier circumstances, which may contribute to dry eyes. It’s subsequently vital to remain hydrated and use lubricating eye drops as wanted. When you put on contact lenses, go for contact lens pleasant eye drops and seek the advice of an eye fixed care skilled for personalised suggestions.”
Jane Bolton, ski knowledgeable at Erna Low, provided additional recommendation on the right way to shield your pores and skin from the solar whereas snowboarding as effectively:
“UV radiation will increase by about 5% for each 300 metres of elevation acquire, so at greater altitudes, you want to be much more diligent about solar safety. SPF 50+ must be non-negotiable for anybody snowboarding. Sunscreen is important for shielding towards the solar’s robust UV rays, that are intensified by the excessive altitude and the snow’s reflective floor. Defending your self is essential to keep away from pores and skin harm and discomfort,” says Jane.
