Even though it feels like there are fewer hours of daylight in the winter, sunglasses are still important. UV rays can do just as much harm on a snowy mountain slope as they can at the beach. While our skin is protected by layers and layers of snow gear, our eyes are still vulnerable if we aren’t being careful about eye protection. Let's explore why eye protection is so important during winter activities and how to get it.
Symptoms of Snow Blindness
Snow blindness—which is also known as photokeratitis—is an uncomfortable condition that can occur when our eyes are exposed to too much ultraviolet (UV) light without adequate protection from sunglasses or other specialized eyewear. Symptoms of snow blindness include burning and pain in the eyes, a sensation like something is stuck in them, light sensitivity, swollen eyelids, blurred vision, watery eyes, headaches, and exaggerated glare around lights when indoors.
Tips for Protecting Your Eyes This Winter
To ensure your safety this winter season—whether you’re skiing or shooting off fireworks for New Year's Eve—we strongly encourage you to invest in a good pair of snow goggles. Snow goggles provide maximum coverage and protection against UV light while still allowing optimal vision clarity when navigating down ski slopes or sledding hills. They also come with antifog technology which prevents condensation from forming on the lenses and obstructing your view. In addition to snow goggles, we recommend investing in a high-quality pair of sunglasses with 100% UVA/UVB protection for all your outdoor activities this winter season.
At Lentz Eye Care, we want our patients to have a great winter full of their favorite activities! That’s why we encourage everyone to make sure they are taking proper precautions when going outside during the winter months by wearing appropriate eye protection such as sunglasses and snow goggles. Taking these steps will help reduce your risk for sun damage from harsh UV rays that can lead to serious eye conditions such as snow blindness. Stay safe out there this winter season!