Did you know it is just as important to wear sunglasses in the winter as it is in the summer? Just like you should protect your skin with sunscreen year-round, you must also protect your eyes with sunglasses. Summer through winter, spending prolonged periods of time outside increases the risk of damaging your eyes.

Winter sun-protection is often overlooked as people tend to spend less time outside, but the sun is particularly dangerous in snowy conditions and can quickly cause serious harm to your eyes due to the reflection of the sun off the snow. People who enjoy outdoor activities such as skiing, snowboarding, sledding, hiking, etc. are all at a greater risk of damaging their eyes because of this reflecting light. Constant exposure without proper protection in this climate can lead to cataracts, growths in the eye that may or may not become cancerous, and photokeratitis which is also known as snow blindness ¹.

Similar to a sunburn on your eyes, snow blindness occurs when your eyes are exposed to UV rays reflecting off snow and ice. Symptoms of snow blindness include watery eyes, swelling, blurry vision, and pain. This condition is especially dangerous because the damage done to the front surface of the eye can happen very suddenly. But while it may be sudden, it is also easily preventable by simply wearing protective goggles or sunglasses with 100% UV protection when you are outside in the snow or in icy conditions ¹.

High altitude can also increase the chances of eye damage, so practice extra caution when skiing, snowboarding, or sledding in high elevations. Keep these important factors in mind when you hit the slopes:

• As elevation increases so does UV exposure
• UV rays are strong even on cloudy days
• Cold, dry, and windy conditions can all contribute to snow blindness

It is imperative that you don’t skip out on wearing your sunglasses in the winter. Purchase glasses that have the following protective qualities to take care of your eyes:

• Offers 100% UV-A and UV-B protection to block
  radiation²
• Lenses match in color and are gray in tint to
  properly protect your eyes. Gray tinted glasses
  reduce glare and are better for all-purpose use; they
  protect your eyes well on both sunny and cloudy
  days. ³

Remember that while the winter months bring colder temperatures, it does not mean the sun is any less harmful to your eyes. Especially in snowy climates, your eyes are at an increased risk of being damaged without proper protection. For more tips on how to protect your eyes in the winter, consult with your optometrist or ophthalmologist.

For more information, view see the below resources:

1: https://www.aao.org/eye-health/tips-prevention/winter-sun-eye-safety
2: https://www.allaboutvision.com/sunglasses/how-to-tell-if-have-uv-protection/
3: https://www.aoa.org/healthy-eyes/caring-for-your-eyes/uv-protection?sso=y
https://www.allaboutvision.com/sunglasses/benefits-wearing-during-winter/
https://www.allaboutvision.com/eye-care/eye-health/how-climate-and-humidity-affect-eyes/
https://www.webmd.com/eye-health/what-is-snow-blindness
https://www.allaboutvision.com/sunglasses/color-lenses/