Our Eye Doctor Can Help You With Your Seasonal Eyecare Needs This Winter

It's the thick of winter in many parts of the world, which means you and your loved ones may very well be enjoying some fun in the snow. Our eye doctor staff here at Primary Eyecare & Optical of Meridian urges everyone to be aware of a common seasonal eye safety hazard that many of us may be exposed to: snow blindness!

What is Snow Blindness?

Snow blindness is a seasonal eye care concern that can affect anyone who spends time outdoors. Clinically known as photo keratitis, snow blindness is essentially a sunburn on your eyes caused by the harsh glare and radiation as it bounces off reflective surfaces such as snow, ice, sand, and water.

The parts of the eyes primarily affected by snow blindness are the corneas (clear structure over the colorful pupils) and conjunctiva (outer layer covering the eyes and inner eyelids). Symptoms of this condition, which include eye pain, redness, dry eye, blurry vision, tearing, headaches, light sensitivity, and eyelid twitching (and in rare instances temporary vision loss) may not present immediately, highlighting the importance of prevention. 

How to Prevent Snow Blindness

Did you know the traditional Inuit culture of Alaska is credited with the world's first sunglasses? They cleverly devised a pair of goggles fashioned out of buckskin to reduce the effects of sunlight glare off snow and ice and prevent snow blindness during hunting, fishing, and other traditional activities.

These days, while you don't need buckskin goggles, there are several things you can do to prevent and treat this condition. Here's what our Meridian optometrist team recommends:

• Wear sunglasses and/or snow goggles offering broad-spectrum protection against UV radiation when outside.
• Avoid rubbing or touching your eyes if they become affected by the sun.
• Consult with a Meridian optometrist to ask about medications to relieve pain and restore eye hydration as needed.

Do you participate in outdoor winter activities? Let our Meridian optometrist team help you stay safe! Call Primary Eyecare & Optical of Meridian now at 601-485-2020 to schedule an appointment with an eye doctor or optical shop.