Believe it or not, winter is right around the corner. The days are already growing shorter, and soon, the ground will be blanketed with snow. As you gear up for a day of skiing, snowboarding, sledding, or shoveling the driveway, it’s crucial to be aware of a serious, yet little-known risk to your eyes: snow blindness. Anyone who spends time in snowy environments is at risk of snow blindness, and understanding what this condition is and how to prevent it is essential for maintaining optimal eye health.

What Is Snow Blindness?

Photokeratitis is a painful condition that occurs when eyes are exposed to excessive ultraviolet (UV) rays. It’s like a sunburn that specifically impacts the cornea, which is the transparent layer that covers the front of the eye. Snow blindness is a type of photokeratitis that occurs when UV rays from the sun reflect off the snow, ice, or water, leading to pain, discomfort, and even temporary vision loss. 

Snow blindness can occur quickly — sometimes all it takes is just a few hours of UV exposure. While this condition is usually temporary, repeated UV exposure without proper protection can cause long-term damage, including cataracts.

Symptoms of Snow Blindness

Symptoms can range from mild to severe, and in more extreme cases, snow blindness can be debilitating. The symptoms may not be immediately apparent, sometimes taking several hours after UV exposure to develop. Common symptoms include:

• Pain and discomfort: Pain can range from mild to intense, along with a feeling of sand or grit in the eyes.
• Redness and swelling: The eyes may appear bloodshot, red, or swollen.
• Watery eyes: Excessive tearing is the body’s natural response to cornea damage or irritation.
• Blurry vision: Vision can become blurred, hazy or distorted, impeding the ability to see clearly.
• Light sensitivity: A strong sensitivity to light can make it uncomfortable to open the eyes in especially bright environments.
• Headache: Headaches may develop as the eyes strain to compensate for vision issues.

Causes of Snow Blindness

While snow blindness is commonly associated with snow-covered environments, photokeratitis can occur anywhere UV rays are reflected off bright surfaces. People who spend sunny days at the beach without adequate eye protection can also experience photokeratitis. UV rays can even penetrate through clouds, posing a threat to eye health. 

Snow blindness is particularly dangerous because snow reflects 80 to 90 percent of the sunlight that hits it. In comparison, sand reflects 15 percent of sunlight, while grass, water, and soil reflect 10 percent. This is why individuals who spend extended time outdoors in snowy or icy conditions, such as skiers, mountaineers, snowboarders, and ice-fishing enthusiasts are at a higher risk.

How to Prevent Snow Blindness

If you plan on getting out and enjoying the snow this winter, the best way to protect yourself from snow blindness is to wear proper eye protection that blocks UV rays. 

Ensure you choose sunglasses that block 100 percent of both UVA and UVB rays. Consider polarized lenses, which help reduce glare from reflective surfaces. Wrap-around styles are another excellent choice, as they block UV rays that may enter from the sides. 

In addition to wearing UV-blocking sunglasses, you can prevent snow blindness by:

• Wearing a hat or visor with a wide brim to shade your eyes from direct sunlight.
• Avoiding direct exposure to bright, reflective snow for extended periods of time. Take breaks in shaded areas every once in a while.
• Always wearing eye protection, regardless of the weather. UV rays can still be strong enough to cause damage on cloudy days. 

What to Do If You Experience Snow Blindness

If you’re experiencing symptoms of snow blindness, take immediate action to prevent further damage. Get out of the sun and place a cold, damp cloth over your closed eyes to reduce pain and swelling. Over-the-counter pain relievers can also help you manage discomfort. Rest your eyes as much as possible and drink plenty of water. Avoid rubbing your eyes, as this can exacerbate the condition. 

If symptoms persist longer than 24 hours or worsen over time, consult an eye doctor.

Protect Yourself from Snow Blindness with Sunglasses from Wolcott Optical

At Wolcott Optical, we are proud to offer a wide selection of sunglasses from all your favorite brands. From stylish frames to prescription lenses to polarized coatings, when you shop at Wolcott’s, you get quality sunglasses that not only look great but protect your eyes from damaging UV rays. Come visit us in Millcreek, Utah, to browse our selection of sunglasses and find the perfect pair for you!

Sunglasses are more than a tool to help us see better in the bright light of midday; they’ve also become fashion statements that express our unique personalities. Chances are, you slip on a pair of sunglasses every time you go for an afternoon drive or explore the outdoors, but have you ever wondered how this iconic accessory came to be?

In this blog post, we’ll take a look at the fascinating history of sunglasses, from ancient inventions to modern technological advancements.

The Early History of Sunglasses

The history of sunglasses begins with the indigenous peoples of the Arctic. Thousands of years ago, they developed snow goggles to shield their eyes from the bright sunlight reflecting off the snow, preventing a condition known as snow blindness. These goggles were made from a strip of bone, wood, ivory, antlers, or other material and featured small slits for the eyes. They worked much the same as squinting, allowing only a small amount of light to reach the eyes.

In the 12th century, Chinese judges are believed to have worn glasses made from pieces of smoky quartz to hide their facial expressions and appear impartial during court proceedings; however, there is not a wealth of substantive evidence to support this claim. While we do know that people in China used smoky quartz as vision aids, it’s hard to know for certain when the practice was first adopted and for what reason.

The Introduction of Tinted Lenses

Next up in the history of sunglasses is English optician James Ayscough, who is known for introducing eyeglasses with blue- or green-tinted lenses sometime around 1752. While these spectacles were primarily intended for vision correction rather than sun protection, they are still considered the precursor to modern sunglasses.

The first tinted eyeglasses worn specifically for sun protection emerged in late 18th-century Venice, Italy. Named after a famous playwright who popularized the style, Goldoni glasses were popular among gondoliers who wanted to shield their eyes from the bright sunlight while rowing through the city’s famous canals.

20th-Century Innovation and Style

In 1913, a British chemist named Sir William Crookes became the first to develop lenses that blocked ultraviolet light. Using an element called cerium, the “Crookes lenses,” as they came to be known, were an unintended byproduct of his research on how to protect glassworkers from cataracts. 

The year 1929 marked a significant moment in the history of sunglasses, with the first affordable, mass-produced sunglasses being developed by Sam Foster. In the 1930s, Edwin H. Land introduced polarized lenses, revolutionizing sunglasses by significantly reducing glare.

Sunglasses didn’t become a fashion accessory until the 1920s and 1930s, with Hollywood stars making them a symbol of glamor and sophistication. In the late 1930s, Ray-Ban introduced aviator sunglasses. Originally designed for the U.S. Air Force pilots, this style soon became a cultural icon we still wear today.

As history marched on, celebrities like Marilyn Monroe, James Dean, and Bob Dylan cemented sunglasses’ status as an essential accessory, becoming synonymous with rebellion, coolness, and style. By the 1970s, many countries adopted standards for sunglasses with UV protection.

With the designer fashion craze starting in the 1980s, brands like Gucci and Oakley helped shape the modern sunglasses market by introducing a wide range of styles, shapes, materials, and colors. 

Modern Advances in Sunglasses Technology

Modern sunglasses are the product of thousands of years of history, building upon the technological innovations of the past. Innovative new materials like Trivex and polycarbonate have made both lenses and frames more durable, lightweight, and resistant to impacts, providing unparalleled comfort and functionality.

Today, we have endless options when it comes to sunglasses. Prescription sunglasses are an excellent choice for individuals with vision impairments. For maximum convenience, Transitions lenses use photochromic technology to automatically adjust their tint to suit the amount of light in a given environment.

Sunglasses have never been more protective, customizable, or technologically advanced, and we have a long list of individuals throughout history to thank for our modern conveniences.

Block the Sun in Style with Wolcott Optical

As you put on your sunglasses next time you step outside, make sure you spare a moment to look back on the rich history of this iconic accessory. And if you need new sunglasses, stop by Wolcott Optical to browse our wide selection of designer brands and take advantage of the eyewear innovations of the past. With a new pair of sunglasses from Wolcott Optical, you can navigate the world with both comfort and style. 

To learn about the history of eyeglasses, check out this blog post: “When Were Eyeglasses Invented?”