SNOWBLINDNESS Meaning and
Definition
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Snowblindness is a term used to describe a temporary loss of vision or eye discomfort caused by prolonged exposure to ultraviolet (UV) rays reflected off snow or ice. Also referred to as photokeratitis or ultraviolet keratitis, this condition occurs due to overexposure of the eyes to sunlight, particularly in high-altitude snowy environments.
Snowblindness typically results from sunburned corneas, similar to a sunburn on the skin. When eyes are exposed to intense UV radiation without protective eyewear such as sunglasses or goggles, it can lead to symptoms such as blurred vision, eye pain, redness, tearing, sensitivity to light, and a gritty sensation in the eyes. These symptoms often appear several hours after exposure, peaking at around 12-24 hours before gradually improving within a few days.
To avoid snowblindness, it is important to protect the eyes from harmful UV rays, especially in snowy or high-altitude environments. Wearing proper eye protection, such as sunglasses or goggles with UV filters, is crucial to prevent damage to the eyes. In case snowblindness does occur, treatment usually involves resting the eyes, applying cold compresses, and using lubricating eye drops to relieve discomfort. In severe cases, medical attention may be necessary to alleviate painful symptoms and promote healing.
Overall, snowblindness is a temporary visual impairment caused by excessive exposure to UV rays reflected off snow or ice without adequate eye protection. It is a condition that can be easily prevented by taking necessary precautions and using appropriate eyewear when in high-glare snowy environments.
Common Misspellings for SNOWBLINDNESS
- anowblindness
- znowblindness
- xnowblindness
- dnowblindness
- enowblindness
- wnowblindness
- sbowblindness
- smowblindness
- sjowblindness
- showblindness
- sniwblindness
- snkwblindness
- snlwblindness
- snpwblindness
- sn0wblindness
- sn9wblindness
- snoqblindness
- snoablindness
- snosblindness
Etymology of SNOWBLINDNESS
The word "snowblindness" is composed of two parts: "snow" and "blindness".
1. Snow: The term "snow" originated from the Old English word "snaw" or "sneow", which can be traced back to the Proto-Germanic word "*snaiwaz". It evolved over time and is ultimately related to the Gothic word "snaiws" and the Old Norse word "snoer".
2. Blindness: The word "blindness" evolved from the Old English word "blindnes", which is derived from the Old English adjective "blind". This adjective originated from the Proto-Germanic word "*blindaz".
When combined, "snowblindness" refers to the condition of becoming blind or experiencing vision impairment due to excessive exposure to snow or glare from snowy environments.
Similar spelling words for SNOWBLINDNESS
- snow-blinded,
- snow-blind.
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