The Importance of Eye Protection in Winter

Even when temperatures drop, people still love to spend time in the cold, enjoying activities such as sledding, making snow angels, snow tubing, skiing, and many more! However, these activities also come with numerous risks to eye health and safety. At Better Vision New Jersey, we want to acknowledge the risks and provide you with the tools to promote eye safety all winter long.

Snow Sports and Eye Injuries

When participating in snow sports such as skiing, snowboarding, outdoor hockey, and snow tubing, you may be at a higher risk of eye injuries and diseases. The high altitude of ski mountains increases the risk of UV rays affecting the eyes and leading to snow blindness, a type of photokeratitis caused by excessive UV exposure that reflects off snow and ice. Symptoms of snow blindness include redness, blurred vision, tearing, and sensitivity to light. Skiers are at a higher risk of this condition due to the sun’s reflection on the snow. Cold and windy weather can also irritate your eyes and add to the symptoms of snow blindness.

For those who don’t partake in these winter activities, there are still other preventative measures you can take. Sun rays reflecting off snow don’t just affect skiers but can also irritate those spending time outside, no matter the location.

Tools to Protect Your Eyes From Discomfort and Injury

Whether you’re participating in a winter sport or just going about your day, safety should always be a priority. Here are some great tools that you can use to ensure a healthy winter season.

Sunglasses

Using UV protection when spending any amount of time outside can help protect your eyes from harmful reflection off the snow and ice. Sunglasses don’t just protect your eyes on bright, sunny days but can also shield them from harmful UV rays even when it’s cloudy. Wearing sunglasses when experiencing symptoms of snow blindness can help alleviate discomfort from light sensitivity and make the healing process more comfortable.

Polarized and Wraparound Eye Goggles

Whether hitting the slopes, making snow angels with your kids, or having a snowball fight, polarized and wraparound eye goggles are great for keeping your eyes safe during sports and in cold weather. Polarization gives snow goggles the same benefits that UV-protective sunglasses have, but with more impact resistance. Wraparound glasses and goggles will prevent any snow, ice, or cold rain from getting in your eyes. Similar to putting on a helmet before riding a bike, eye goggles are crucial for winter sports and a great safety measure for winter activities.

Eye Drops

After a long day in the cold weather, over-the-counter artificial tears are a helpful tool to combat any irritation and dryness caused by strong winds. When healing from snow blindness or other photokeratitis symptoms, artificial tears will help alleviate some of the discomfort and pain.

Warm Compress

For specific symptoms caused by cold wind or snow blindness, like dry eyes, redness, and itchiness, a warm compress can provide some relief from the discomfort. Run a cloth under warm water and leave it on the eyes for 10 minutes at a time. This will not only alleviate pain but will also lubricate the eyes, providing a similar effect to artificial tears.

Additional Safety Measures

Even if you take the proper precautions before going out in the snow or take the right steps after heading inside, there may still be signs that you should seek further assistance for your eye health and comfort.

Seek Emergency Attention

If you notice any persistent pain or symptoms that are not easing as they should, contact Better Vision New Jersey. Relief from the symptoms of snow blindness should be noticeable within 1-2 days. However, if you feel that your condition is worsening and isn’t healing as it should, it’s beneficial for your overall eye health to contact us for additional guidance.

Contact Better Vision New Jersey!

Having fun in the snow is one of the best parts of the winter season. In order to make this winter fun as well as safe, follow our recommended preventative measures before heading out to the slopes or spending extended amounts of time outside. For any additional questions or concerns, or to schedule an appointment, call Better Vision New Jersey today!