Many of us have experienced sunburned skin before, but what about sunburned eyes? The surface of your eye, like your skin, is sensitive to ultraviolet (UV) radiation. Shiny surfaces like snow and ice have reflective properties and will intensify the light sending more UV rays to your eyes. When your eyes receive too much UV radiation, your sight may be temporarily compromised. This is a condition known as photokeratitis or more commonly as snow blindness. Unfortunately, those afflicted with snow blindness don’t notice symptoms until it is too late, and the damage is already done, like sunburn on your skin.
Know the Risks
The term “Snow Blindness” can be misleading because there doesn’t need to be snow for this condition to develop. Avoid the trap of assuming your eyes are protected just because there is no snow – any shiny surface can yield the same effect to your eyes.
Employees experiencing snow blindness will have difficulty seeing—significantly increasing the likelihood of being involved in an incident.
Keys to Keep You Safe
Wear safety glasses or goggles with shaded lenses. These will help protect your eyes from UV rays and prevent snow blindness.
During your daily hazard assessment, locate any reflective surfaces and discuss how reflected light can pose a threat to your eyesight. Be sure to inform everyone when and where shaded lenses are needed.
If you develop snow blindness, the best thing to do is rest your eyes, go indoors, and find a shaded area. You should also avoid driving or operating machinery until your vision is back to normal. If you’re in pain, take pain relief medicine like Ibuprofen or Tylenol and use a cold compress on your eyes. If your symptoms do not subside, talk with your doctor to discuss treatment options.