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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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How Can Snow Blindness Be Treated?

I think I might have snow blindness due to painting a table a light color on a bright sunny day. It didn t take me long to paint the table, but the sun was reflecting off the very bright surface. My left eye seems to have developed a pattern overlay like a daisy or poinsettia or some kind of flower, if I close my right eye and only use my left eye to view things. Eventually, when viewing something with my right eye closed, the flower fills in and the scene before me becomes gray. This did not happen before painting the table. This condition has been going on for 3 or 4 days.
Thu, 31 Aug 2017
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Ophthalmologist,  's  Response
Hi,welcome to HCM.
Your have said that you notice the pattern only in one eye which questions the "snow blindness" or in medical terms called as Photokeratitis which is usually a painful condition ,with severe light sensitivity and involves both the eyes.
1.Are you noticing the pattern constantly?-If so I would think beyond and would consider some issue which must be involving
-the deeper layers of front part of your eye,the cornea- due to an inflammation
-or your lens(due to cataract-when in bright sun ,your pupils constrict and cataractous lens fills the space making it difficult for you to view)
- or retina(damage to the deep central part of your eye-Macula) .
These can be diagnosed only when examined in person,and based on the diagnosis treatment differs.

2.Do you have pain/light sensitivity/tearing ?- this may be suggestive of damage to the surface of your eye due to over exposure to UV Rays.A cold compression with frequent OTC Lubricant drops like Systane/Thera tears 4-6 times in the affected eye should give you temporary relief.If it persists further,you need more stronger prescribed eye drops.

Since it's going on for the past 3-4 days,I would suggest you to start the artificial tear drops along with Tylenol as per need if painful and get an eye exam done to find the root cause.And please do wear good sunglasses with UV protection to avoid further damage.

Hope this helps.Take care.
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How Can Snow Blindness Be Treated?

Hi,welcome to HCM. Your have said that you notice the pattern only in one eye which questions the snow blindness or in medical terms called as Photokeratitis which is usually a painful condition ,with severe light sensitivity and involves both the eyes. 1.Are you noticing the pattern constantly?-If so I would think beyond and would consider some issue which must be involving -the deeper layers of front part of your eye,the cornea- due to an inflammation -or your lens(due to cataract-when in bright sun ,your pupils constrict and cataractous lens fills the space making it difficult for you to view) - or retina(damage to the deep central part of your eye-Macula) . These can be diagnosed only when examined in person,and based on the diagnosis treatment differs. 2.Do you have pain/light sensitivity/tearing ?- this may be suggestive of damage to the surface of your eye due to over exposure to UV Rays.A cold compression with frequent OTC Lubricant drops like Systane/Thera tears 4-6 times in the affected eye should give you temporary relief.If it persists further,you need more stronger prescribed eye drops. Since it s going on for the past 3-4 days,I would suggest you to start the artificial tear drops along with Tylenol as per need if painful and get an eye exam done to find the root cause.And please do wear good sunglasses with UV protection to avoid further damage. Hope this helps.Take care.