In most places winter is in full affect and the snow has been coming down.  In snowy conditions, there are a few things to consider when it comes to your child’s eyes.  Check it out below:

Snow blindness

Is a form of photokeratitis, a painful eye condition that occurs when your eye is overly exposed to UV light.  It is like a sunburn to the eye. “Snow blindness” is when the UV light reflects off of snow and ice into the eyes.  Symptoms include pain, redness, and lots of tearing.

To help prevent snow blindness from occurring it is recommended that children wear proper fitting, 100% UV protected sunglasses.  By wearing the glasses the large amounts of UV that bounces off of snow and ice will be blocked, allowing children to play safely outdoors.  You can checkout some of our winter favorites here.

Frozen eye lashes

In very cold temperatures the air is so cold that any kind of moisture will freeze, this includes moisture on the eyes. Luckily, our eyelashes were made to help protect and shield the eyes from freezing, but comes with an annoying price.  The eyelashes can actually form small, crystalized icicles on the hair.

If this happens, don’t worry, the lashes will not freeze off.  Simply cup your hand over the eyes to give them some body heat or pull down your child’s beanie to cover the eyes for a moment.  Sunglasses will also help during the day to act as a shield from the cold.

Light sensitivity

During winter months, snowfall and ice can create new reflective surfaces that increase the amount of light the eyes are exposed to.  Some adults and children can develop light sensitivity because of this and can cause excessive blinking, squinting, and discomfort.  Best way to prevent light sensitivity is by staying indoors during peak sun hours when it’s snowing (10 am- 2 pm) and wearing sunglasses.

If your child experiences any pain or discomfort of the eyes while outdoors in the snow, please consult with your Eye Care practitioner for help.

xo, Dr. Arian Fartash