Winter Sports Eye Safety

As the weather outside is getting colder and colder, winter sports and outdoor activities are beckoning.

​Skiing, snowboarding, snowmobiling, ice-skating, snowshoeing, cross country skiing, sledding, tubing, and so on are great ways to enjoy a snowy afternoon, but before heading outside, it’s important to keep your safety in mind - including your eye safety.
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How Winter Sports & Recreational Activities Can Lead to Eye Injuries

Eye injuries from winter activities can occur for several reasons. Anything from taking a tumble in the snow to something as simple as a snowball fight can lead to an injury. For example, speeding down the slopes on skis or a snowboard can lead to a fall that could cause a fracture of the eye socket or trauma to the eye itself. Even coming too close to tree branches and catching one in the face can result in an eye injury without proper protection. 
 
Snowmobiling is another favorite winter pastime that can be exhilarating – and dangerous. Always take proper precautions should to protect your eyes. Rocks and tree branches buried in the snow can become projectiles if they are partially run over. Snowmobile eye injuries can include lacerations, corneal abrasions, and ocular windburn.
 
Playing a pickup game of ice hockey without proper eye protection can lead to a serious eye injury. If a puck or a stick comes up in the face, it can lead to cuts, fractures, and more.
 
Although winter sports come with risks of injuries, you don’t have to hibernate inside all winter. You can still hit the slopes, trails, and ice safely. Taking certain precautions can prevent most eye injuries from winter sports; wearing proper safety goggles and masks can help to avoid injuries.
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Choosing Goggles

Goggles can protect your eyes from an injury and help you see the terrain more clearly when your skiing, snowboarding, or snowmobiling, but not all goggles are created equal. You should consider several things when choosing your winter sports goggles. Keep the following factors in mind:

• Choose polycarbonate lenses: Polycarbonate lenses are a must since they are impact resistant. Also, polycarbonate lenses do not fog up as easily as plastic or glass lenses.
• Get goggles that provide 100 percent UV protection: The sun’s rays reflect off the snow. A day on the slopes can be as damaging to the eyes as a day at the beach.
• Consider polarized lenses: Polarized lenses have a filter that helps block reflected light, which may help decrease glare from the snow. Some experts caution that polarized lenses may prevent you from seeing icy patches on the slopes that you would want to avoid though, so consider all safety aspects before making your choice.
• Think about lens color: It’s also important to consider the tint of the lenses. On a bright, sunny day, a darker lens will help protect your eyes from the sun and the UV rays reflecting off the snow. Yellow and orange tinted lenses may help improve depth perception, which makes them a good choice for skiing on a gray or snowy day when light is flat. Rose color lenses block blue light and are another option that may be useful on overcast days. If the area you ski tends to be overcast or have many runs in the shadows, rose color lenses may be a good choice. If you’re a night skier or snowboarder, clear lenses may be your best bet.

• Make sure goggles fit properly: Your goggles should fit snugly without being uncomfortable. Most goggles are compatible with skiing and snowboarding helmets, but try on goggles with your helmet before purchasing to ensure a comfortable fit.

 
Goggles are a must for skiing, snowboarding, and snowmobiling, but are not an appropriate form of eye protection for hockey and may be overkills for snowshoeing and cross-country skiing. When playing hockey, make sure to have a proper face mask with a polycarbonate lens to protect your eyes. For aerobic winter activities like snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, running, hiking, or walking, be sure to wear full-coverage sunglasses with 100% UVA and UVB protection.
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Avoiding Injuries

In addition to wearing goggles when enjoying winter sports, there are a few other things you can do to prevent eye injuries. For example, use equipment that is in good shape. Equipment that’s in good working condition may help you prevent falls or other mishaps that could lead to an eye injury.
 
It’s also essential to recognize your skill level. If you’re a beginner skier and head right to the top of the expert run, you may be increasing your chance of an injury.
 
Also, nothing replaces using good common sense. For instance, driving a snowmobile at high speeds or mixing recreational activities and alcohol is never a good idea. Follow the common-sense rules of the mountain and trails and know your limits.
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Preventing Snow Blindness

Another possible winter eye hazard is snow blindness. According to the American Academy of Ophthalmology, snow blindness is considered a type of photokeratitis, which is sunburn on the surface of the eye. Photokeratitis affects the cornea, which covers the whites of the eyes and the inside of the eyelid. It’s caused by exposure to the sun’s UV rays. Severe cold and dry air can also contribute to snow blindness.
 
Similar to other types of sunburns, photokeratitis is usually not felt until a few hours after exposure to the sun’s rays. The severity of the burn may vary based on the amount of sun exposure.
 
Mild cases of photokeratitis may cause symptoms, such as bloodshot and teary eyes. More severe cases of photokeratitis may involve blurry vision, swelling, and pain, such as a gritty feeling in the eyes.
 
Although most people do not sustain permanent damage to the eyes from photokeratitis, it can be uncomfortable for a few days. It may take the corneas about 48 to 72 hours to heal.
 
Wearing sunglasses or goggles that provide 100 percent UV protection when you’re in the sun can prevent photokeratitis. Remember, don’t put your sunglasses away on overcast days. Although it may be cloudy, UV light can still get through and damage your eyes.
 
We hope by using the above suggestions, your eyes are protected this winter. If you have any questions about winter sports eye safety, are concerned that you may have gotten snow blindness, or want schedule an appointment with one of our ophthalmologists, please call our office at 508-746-8600.
 
Stay tuned if you have teenagers around your home or in your family! In our next post, we’re covering “Teens and Winter Eye Protection”.