Skiers and people who go out walking in the snow risk the corneas of their eyes being damaged by ultraviolet rays reflected off the snow.
Whenever you're out in the snow - even on cloudy or foggy days - wear specially coated sunglasses (preferably with side shields) that keep out ultra-violet rays.
Alternatively, make yourself a pair of 'Eskimo-style' snow glasses. Cut a strip of cardboard about 12in/300mm long and bend it lengthways. Cut two slits along the fold for your eyes, and a notch for your nose. Attach a piece of elastic, string or ribbon to each side of the strip. Bend it to fit your face and tie behind your head. Don't try to flatten the cardboard on your face it will provide more shade for your eyes if it is at an angle.
If you want to go out into the snow but have no protective glasses, blacken your cheeks, nose and the area around your eyes with soot, if possible. The darkened area helps to deflect the ultra-violet rays.
If your eyes start to feel irritated and gritty 3 to 5 hours after being out in the snow without protection, or if you're having difficulty detecting variations in the level of the ground, you may be suffering from snow blindness. In this case, you should stay out of the sun for a few days to avoid any further damage.
If your eyes hurt so much that you don't want to open them, cover them with cold compresses and rest in a dark room. Ask someone to get medical help - you should have your eyes checked out by a doctor or optician as soon as possible. To prevent infection, don't rub your eyes. With prompt treatment, you should recover within a few days.
