Snow blindness
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| Snow blindness Classification and external resources | |
| ICD-10 | H16.1 |
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| ICD-9 | 370.24 |
- For other meanings see Snowblind
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WikiDoc Resources for Snow blindness | |
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Most recent articles on Snow blindness Most cited articles on Snow blindness | |
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Powerpoint slides on Snow blindness | |
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Evidence Based Medicine | |
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Clinical Trials | |
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Ongoing Trials on Snow blindness at Clinical Trials.gov Trial results on Snow blindness Clinical Trials on Snow blindness at Google
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US National Guidelines Clearinghouse on Snow blindness NICE Guidance on Snow blindness
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Definitions | |
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Patient Resources / Community | |
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Patient resources on Snow blindness Discussion groups on Snow blindness Patient Handouts on Snow blindness Directions to Hospitals Treating Snow blindness Risk calculators and risk factors for Snow blindness
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Healthcare Provider Resources | |
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Causes & Risk Factors for Snow blindness | |
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Overview
Snow blindness is a painful condition, typically a keratitis, caused by exposure of unprotected eyes to the ultraviolet (UV) rays in bright sunlight reflected from snow or ice. This is especially a problem in polar regions and at high altitudes, as with every thousand feet increase in elevation, the intensity of UV rays goes up five percent.
The problem is also related to the condition arc eye sometimes experienced by welders.
Snow blindness is akin to a sunburn of the cornea and conjunctiva, and may not be noticed for several hours from exposure. Symptoms can run the gamut from eyes being bloodshot and teary to increased pain, feeling gritty and swelling shut. In very severe cases, snow blindness can cause permanent vision loss.
The Inuit carved goggles from caribou antler to help prevent snow blindness. The goggles were curved to fit the user's face and had a large groove cut in the back to allow for the nose. A long thin slit was cut through the goggles to allow in a small amount of light. The goggles were held to the head by a cord made of caribou sinew.
Prevention
When trekking, mountaineering or skiing, sunglasses that offer the following are frequently recommended:
- 99-100% UV absorption
- Polycarbonate or CR-39 lens
- 5-10% visible light transmittance
- Large lenses that fit close to the face and cover the whole eye
- Wraparound, side-shielded, or dark-lensed 'glacier' glasses to prevent incidental light exposure
- Wear even when the sky is overcast, as UV rays can still filter through clouds
- In the event of lost or damaged sunglasses, make emergency goggles by cutting slits in dark fabric or tape folded back onto itself
Treatment
Following these guidelines will allow the pain and symptoms of snow blindness to disappear as the cornea heals:
- Avoid rubbing eyes and remove contact lenses
- Administer an oral pain medication such as ibuprofen
- Cover eyes with soft thick cloth pads or gauze bandages to prevent irritation from eyelid movement and protect from light; rest in a dark room if possible
- Apply cold wet compresses to ease burning sensations
- Check injury at half-day intervals; remove dressing when eyes can remain open comfortably
- Wear sunglasses outside until symptoms completely disappear
See also
- Glare (vision)
- Over-illumination
- Winter sport
- Sunglasses
External links
- Everest Base Camp Clinic - Eye Concerns at Altitude
- Mount Everest.net - Snow Blindness
- General Practice Notebook - Snow Blindness
- An Experience of Snow Blindness
- Historical Snow Goggles
de:Schneeblindheit no:Snøblindhetfi:Lumisokeus sv:Snöblindhet
WikiDoc Research Resources for Snow blindness | |
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| Articles on Snow blindness | Most recent articles on Snow blindness • Most cited articles on Snow blindness • Review articles on Snow blindness • Articles on Snow blindness in N Eng J Med, Lancet, BMJ |
| Media (Slides, Video, Images, MP3) on Snow blindness | Powerpoint slides on Snow blindness • Images of Snow blindness • Photos of Snow blindness • Podcasts & MP3s on Snow blindness • Videos on Snow blindness |
| Evidence Based Medicine Regarding Snow blindness | Cochrane Collaboration on Snow blindness • Bandolier on Snow blindness • TRIP on Snow blindness |
| Cost Effectiveness of Snow blindness | Cost Effectiveness of Snow blindness |
| Clinical Trials Involving Snow blindness | Ongoing Trials on Snow blindness at Clinical Trials.gov • Trial results on Snow blindness • Clinical Trials on Snow blindness at Google |
| Guidelines / Policies / Government Resources (FDA/CDC) Regarding Snow blindness | US National Guidelines Clearinghouse on Snow blindness • NICE Guidance on Snow blindness • NHS PRODIGY Guidance • FDA on Snow blindness • CDC on Snow blindness |
| Textbook Information on Snow blindness | Books and Textbook Information on Snow blindness |
| Pharmacology Resources on Snow blindness | Dosing of Snow blindness • Drug interactions with Snow blindness • Side effects of Snow blindness • Allergic reactions to Snow blindness • Overdose information on Snow blindness • Carcinogenicity information on Snow blindness • Snow blindness in pregnancy • Pharmacokinetics of Snow blindness • |
| Genetics, Pharmacogenomics, and Proteinomics of Snow blindness | Genetics of Snow blindness • Pharmacogenomics of Snow blindness • Proteomics of Snow blindness |
| Newstories on Snow blindness | Snow blindness in the news • Be alerted to news on Snow blindness • News trends on Snow blindness |
| Commentary on Snow blindness | Blogs on Snow blindness |
| Patient Resources on Snow blindness | Patient resources on Snow blindness • Discussion groups on Snow blindness • Patient Handouts on Snow blindness • Directions to Hospitals Treating Snow blindness • Risk calculators and risk factors for Snow blindness |
| Healthcare Provider Resources on Snow blindness | Symptoms of Snow blindness • Causes & Risk Factors for Snow blindness • Diagnostic studies for Snow blindness • Treatment of Snow blindness |
| Continuing Medical Education (CME) Programs on Snow blindness | CME Programs on Snow blindness |
| International Resources on Snow blindness | Snow blindness en Espanol • Snow blindness en Francais |
| Business Resources on Snow blindness | Snow blindness in the Marketplace • Patents on Snow blindness |
| Informatics Resources on Snow blindness | List of terms related to Snow blindness |
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Acknowledgement and Attribution Regarding Sources of Content
Some of the initial content on this page may be incorporated in part from copyleft sources in the public domain including wikis such as Wikipedia and AskDrWiki. Drug information for patients came from the The National Library of Medicine. Infectious disease information may have come from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). Differential Diagnoses are drawn from clinicians as well as an amalgamation of 3 sources: 1.The Disease Database; 2. Kahan, Scott, Smith, Ellen G. In A Page: Signs and Symptoms. Malden, Massachusetts: Blackwell Publishing, 2004:3; 3. Sailer, Christian, Wasner, Susanne. Differential Diagnosis Pocket. Hermosa Beach, CA: Borm Bruckmeir Publishing LLC, 2002:7 .
