Snow Blindness/Photokeratitis

I’m always a little concerned when common illnesses and conditions aren’t addressed in the most popular off-grid medical texts.  This usually, but not always, occurs with issues that will resolve on their own without long-term consequences or prescription medications.  (Which doctors may know, but the rest of us don't, and we can get a little alarmed.)  And then I’m glad to have a reference like the Community Health Aide/Practitioner Manual, which was written for the medics in the remote Alaskan and Native American communities.  I highly recommend it.  It’s the only one in my possession that covers today’s topic, snow blindness.

Snow blindness, or photokeratitis, is essentially a sunburn to the eye.  Both the thin surface layer of the cornea and the conjunctiva covering the white of the eye and inside of the eyelids are affected.[1] [2] It occurs when the eye is exposed to the UV rays of the sun or from a manmade source like a welding arc or tanning lamp, whether by looking at the source directly or when it reflects off another object, like the sand, water, ice, or snow. [3] [4] And it can develop when the cornea’s surface freezes, like in extremely cold temperatures, or with severe drying of the corneal surface, such as may occur with skiing, snowmobiling, or mountain climbing.[5]

RISK FACTORS

·       High altitude or at the North or South Poles where the atmosphere is thinner[6] [7]

·       Extreme cold[8]

·       Extremely dry conditions[9]

SYMPTOMS

Symptoms usually develop 6-10 hours after exposure.[10]

·       Pain[11] [12] [13]

·       Redness[14] [15] [16]

·       Blurriness[17] [18] [19]

·       Tearing[20] [21]

·       Gritty feeling[22] [23] [24]

·       Swelling[25] [26] [27]

·       Sensitivity to bright light[28] [29] [30]

·       Headache[31] [32]

·       Small pupils[33]

·       Eyelid twitching[34] [35]

·       Seeing halos[36] [37]

·       Temporary vision loss (rare)[38] [39]

·       Temporary color changes in vision (rare) [40] [41]

TREATMENT

·       Remove contact lenses immediately[42] [43]

·       Get into a dark room[44]

·       Sulfacetamide ointment in the eyes[45]

·       Apply eye pressure patches to both eyes[46]

·       Pain relief, if needed:  aspirin or acetaminophen[47] [48] or ibuprofen[49]

·       Place a cold compress over the eyes[50] [51]

·       Use artificial tears[52] [53]

·       Reassure the patient that the eyes will heal in a day or two[54] [55]

·       Bedrest[56] [57]

PREVENTION

Wear sunglasses (or a welding hood, if applicable) that protect against UV light damage.[58] [59] [60]

 

Reference:

Community Health Aide/Practitioner Manual  https://ia600408.us.archive.org/32/items/Alaska-community-health-aide-practitioner-manual-1987/Community%20Health%20Aide-Practitioner%20Manual%201987_text.pdf

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[1]  Daniel Porter, What is photokeratitis—including snow blindness? American Academy of Ophthalmology, 26 September 2024, https://www.aao.org/eye-health/diseases/photokeratitis-snow-blindness (accessed 3 December 2025). 

[2] Photokeratitis, Cleveland Clinic, 7 November 2023, https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/15763-photokeratitis (accessed 3 December 2025).

[3]  Daniel Porter, What is photokeratitis—including snow blindness? American Academy of Ophthalmology, 26 September 2024, https://www.aao.org/eye-health/diseases/photokeratitis-snow-blindness (accessed 3 December 2025). 

[4] Photokeratitis, Cleveland Clinic, 7 November 2023, https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/15763-photokeratitis (accessed 3 December 2025).

[5]  Daniel Porter, What is photokeratitis—including snow blindness? American Academy of Ophthalmology, 26 September 2024, https://www.aao.org/eye-health/diseases/photokeratitis-snow-blindness (accessed 3 December 2025). 

[6]  Daniel Porter, What is photokeratitis—including snow blindness? American Academy of Ophthalmology, 26 September 2024, https://www.aao.org/eye-health/diseases/photokeratitis-snow-blindness (accessed 3 December 2025). 

[7] Photokeratitis, Cleveland Clinic, 7 November 2023, https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/15763-photokeratitis (accessed 3 December 2025).

[8]  Daniel Porter, What is photokeratitis—including snow blindness? American Academy of Ophthalmology, 26 September 2024, https://www.aao.org/eye-health/diseases/photokeratitis-snow-blindness (accessed 3 December 2025). 

[9]  Daniel Porter, What is photokeratitis—including snow blindness? American Academy of Ophthalmology, 26 September 2024, https://www.aao.org/eye-health/diseases/photokeratitis-snow-blindness (accessed 3 December 2025). 

[10] Robert D. Burgess, Community Health Aide/Practitioner Manual, 1987, 100.

[11] Robert D. Burgess, Community Health Aide/Practitioner Manual, 1987, 100.

[12]  Daniel Porter, What is photokeratitis—including snow blindness? American Academy of Ophthalmology, 26 September 2024, https://www.aao.org/eye-health/diseases/photokeratitis-snow-blindness (accessed 3 December 2025). 

[13] Photokeratitis, Cleveland Clinic, 7 November 2023, https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/15763-photokeratitis (accessed 3 December 2025).

[14]  Daniel Porter, What is photokeratitis—including snow blindness? American Academy of Ophthalmology, 26 September 2024, https://www.aao.org/eye-health/diseases/photokeratitis-snow-blindness (accessed 3 December 2025). 

[15] Robert D. Burgess, Community Health Aide/Practitioner Manual, 1987, 100.

[16] Photokeratitis, Cleveland Clinic, 7 November 2023, https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/15763-photokeratitis (accessed 3 December 2025).

[17] Robert D. Burgess, Community Health Aide/Practitioner Manual, 1987, 100.

[18]  Daniel Porter, What is photokeratitis—including snow blindness? American Academy of Ophthalmology, 26 September 2024, https://www.aao.org/eye-health/diseases/photokeratitis-snow-blindness (accessed 3 December 2025). 

[19] Photokeratitis, Cleveland Clinic, 7 November 2023, https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/15763-photokeratitis (accessed 3 December 2025).

[20]  Daniel Porter, What is photokeratitis—including snow blindness? American Academy of Ophthalmology, 26 September 2024, https://www.aao.org/eye-health/diseases/photokeratitis-snow-blindness (accessed 3 December 2025). 

[21] Photokeratitis, Cleveland Clinic, 7 November 2023, https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/15763-photokeratitis (accessed 3 December 2025).

[22] Robert D. Burgess, Community Health Aide/Practitioner Manual, 1987, 100.

[23]  Daniel Porter, What is photokeratitis—including snow blindness? American Academy of Ophthalmology, 26 September 2024, https://www.aao.org/eye-health/diseases/photokeratitis-snow-blindness (accessed 3 December 2025). 

[24] Photokeratitis, Cleveland Clinic, 7 November 2023, https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/15763-photokeratitis (accessed 3 December 2025).

[25]  Daniel Porter, What is photokeratitis—including snow blindness? American Academy of Ophthalmology, 26 September 2024, https://www.aao.org/eye-health/diseases/photokeratitis-snow-blindness (accessed 3 December 2025). 

[26] Robert D. Burgess, Community Health Aide/Practitioner Manual, 1987, 100.

[27] Photokeratitis, Cleveland Clinic, 7 November 2023, https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/15763-photokeratitis (accessed 3 December 2025).

[28]  Daniel Porter, What is photokeratitis—including snow blindness? American Academy of Ophthalmology, 26 September 2024, https://www.aao.org/eye-health/diseases/photokeratitis-snow-blindness (accessed 3 December 2025). 

[29] Robert D. Burgess, Community Health Aide/Practitioner Manual, 1987, 100.

[30] Photokeratitis, Cleveland Clinic, 7 November 2023, https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/15763-photokeratitis (accessed 3 December 2025).

[31]  Daniel Porter, What is photokeratitis—including snow blindness? American Academy of Ophthalmology, 26 September 2024, https://www.aao.org/eye-health/diseases/photokeratitis-snow-blindness (accessed 3 December 2025). 

[32] Photokeratitis, Cleveland Clinic, 7 November 2023, https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/15763-photokeratitis (accessed 3 December 2025).

[33]  Daniel Porter, What is photokeratitis—including snow blindness? American Academy of Ophthalmology, 26 September 2024, https://www.aao.org/eye-health/diseases/photokeratitis-snow-blindness (accessed 3 December 2025). 

[34]  Daniel Porter, What is photokeratitis—including snow blindness? American Academy of Ophthalmology, 26 September 2024, https://www.aao.org/eye-health/diseases/photokeratitis-snow-blindness (accessed 3 December 2025). 

[35] Photokeratitis, Cleveland Clinic, 7 November 2023, https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/15763-photokeratitis (accessed 3 December 2025).

[36]  Daniel Porter, What is photokeratitis—including snow blindness? American Academy of Ophthalmology, 26 September 2024, https://www.aao.org/eye-health/diseases/photokeratitis-snow-blindness (accessed 3 December 2025). 

[37] Photokeratitis, Cleveland Clinic, 7 November 2023, https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/15763-photokeratitis (accessed 3 December 2025).

[38]  Daniel Porter, What is photokeratitis—including snow blindness? American Academy of Ophthalmology, 26 September 2024, https://www.aao.org/eye-health/diseases/photokeratitis-snow-blindness (accessed 3 December 2025). 

[39] Photokeratitis, Cleveland Clinic, 7 November 2023, https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/15763-photokeratitis (accessed 3 December 2025).

[40]  Daniel Porter, What is photokeratitis—including snow blindness? American Academy of Ophthalmology, 26 September 2024, https://www.aao.org/eye-health/diseases/photokeratitis-snow-blindness (accessed 3 December 2025). 

[41] Photokeratitis, Cleveland Clinic, 7 November 2023, https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/15763-photokeratitis (accessed 3 December 2025).

[42]  Daniel Porter, What is photokeratitis—including snow blindness? American Academy of Ophthalmology, 26 September 2024, https://www.aao.org/eye-health/diseases/photokeratitis-snow-blindness (accessed 3 December 2025). 

[43] Robert D. Burgess, Community Health Aide/Practitioner Manual, 1987, 100.

[44] Robert D. Burgess, Community Health Aide/Practitioner Manual, 1987, 100.

[45] Robert D. Burgess, Community Health Aide/Practitioner Manual, 1987, 100.

[46] Robert D. Burgess, Community Health Aide/Practitioner Manual, 1987, 100.

[47] Robert D. Burgess, Community Health Aide/Practitioner Manual, 1987, 100.

[48] Photokeratitis, Cleveland Clinic, 7 November 2023, https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/15763-photokeratitis (accessed 3 December 2025).

[49] Photokeratitis, Cleveland Clinic, 7 November 2023, https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/15763-photokeratitis (accessed 3 December 2025).

[50] Robert D. Burgess, Community Health Aide/Practitioner Manual, 1987, 100.

[51] Photokeratitis, Cleveland Clinic, 7 November 2023, https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/15763-photokeratitis (accessed 3 December 2025).

[52] Robert D. Burgess, Community Health Aide/Practitioner Manual, 1987, 100.

[53] Photokeratitis, Cleveland Clinic, 7 November 2023, https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/15763-photokeratitis (accessed 3 December 2025).

[54] Robert D. Burgess, Community Health Aide/Practitioner Manual, 1987, 100.

[55] Photokeratitis, Cleveland Clinic, 7 November 2023, https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/15763-photokeratitis (accessed 3 December 2025).

[56] Robert D. Burgess, Community Health Aide/Practitioner Manual, 1987, 100.

[57] Photokeratitis, Cleveland Clinic, 7 November 2023, https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/15763-photokeratitis (accessed 3 December 2025).

[58] Joseph Alton, et al., Survival Medicine Handbook, 2021, 199.

[59] Robert D. Burgess, Community Health Aide/Practitioner Manual, 1987, 100.

[60] Photokeratitis, Cleveland Clinic, 7 November 2023, https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/15763-photokeratitis (accessed 3 December 2025).