Sunburn of the cornea Protect eyes during winter sports with ski goggles

Protect eyes from injury: Tips for buying a ski goggle

Slowly but surely winter is coming to Germany. Above all, passionate winter athletes should remember to protect their eyes - otherwise threaten burns on the cornea. Experts have some tips for buying a goggle.

Protection against UV rays

Finaly snow! Many winter sports enthusiasts can not wait to finally start skiing in the mountains. But those who drive without the right goggles on the winter vacation, risk burns on the cornea of ​​the eye. Because the white snow in the winter sports areas reflects the incident, high-energy ultraviolet (UV) light much stronger than other backgrounds. Above all, skiers should be aware that their eyes need protection from UV rays. The German Ophthalmological Society (DOG) advises all winter vacationers to a well-fitting, fully enclosed ski goggles with UV filter.

Snowy landscapes attract hikers and winter sports enthusiasts out into the mountains. But the bright sunlight in the winter sports areas is dangerous for the eyes. Experts therefore call for protecting the eyes from UV radiation. (Image: chalabala / fotolia.com)

Cornea of ​​the eye can get a sunburn

White ski slopes and snowy landscapes attract hikers and winter sports enthusiasts out into the mountains. But the bright sunlight in the winter sports areas is dangerous for the eyes:

Every 1,000 vertical meters, the UV radiation increases by about 20 percent and the snow reflects this radiation up to 85 percent more.

"Just like the skin on the body, the cornea of ​​the eye can get sunburned when exposed to intense UV light," explains Professor. med. Thomas Reinhard, Secretary General of the DOG in a communication.

With aching eyes in a dark room

The light causes the cells on the cornea of ​​the eye to die. Six to eight hours later, there is stinging pain and a strong foreign body sensation; the eyes swell and tear.

"Those affected then react very sensitively to light and can hardly keep their eyes open", Reinhard describes the symptoms of the so-called snow blindness.

"Winter sports enthusiasts with aching eyes should not only go out of the sun immediately, but best stay in dark rooms," emphasizes the DOG expert.

The ophthalmologist may prescribe ointments or gels that will calm the burned cornea. Since the cornea is constantly regenerating, the symptoms usually disappear after two to three days.

UV radiation increases the risk of chronic eye problems

Those who regularly expose their eyes to intense sunlight risk long-term damage: "UV radiation increases the risk of chronic eye problems such as cataracts or macular degeneration - a disease that can make you blind," says Reinhard.

To protect himself from these diseases, the director of the University Eye Clinic Freiburg recommends goggles. "Normal sunglasses do not catch the side-incident light and do not protect your eyes from falling," says the ophthalmologist.

For people with poor eyesight, there are, in addition to contact lenses, also corresponding ski goggles and or so-called "Clipin glasses", which are attached to the inside of the ski goggles.

"Basically winter holidaymakers should be advised to buy a ski goggle from specialist retailers," says Reinhard.

Checklist for a good goggle

The glasses should absorb all UV rays up to a wavelength of 400 nanometers. As with sunglasses, ski goggles with the corresponding broadband UV protection also carry the CE mark.

The glasses should completely cover the eye area, so that no UV light falls into the eyes on the side.

Ski goggle lenses should be made of shatter-proof plastic and be at least double-glazed so that the eyes are protected by the inner disc if the outer disc breaks in a crash.

An anti-fog coating ensures that the glasses do not fog up too fast.

A tint of the glasses can improve the view in difficult lighting conditions: gray glasses provide glare protection on sunny days, reddish tints enhance contrasts in low light conditions. Yellow slices are best for cloudy weather or at dusk. (Ad)