Pack Your Winter Eyewear

When packing coats and ski boots for your winter vacation, remember to include appropriate eyewear. Sunglasses or goggles protect you from the damaging rays of the sun and perhaps from physical injury.

Dr. Rodney Tahran of the prescription eyeglass lens maker Essilor of America says people often overlook the impact of the bright winter sun on their eyes. The intense light reflected off snow is called corneal sunburn, or photokeratitis, and is often referred to as "snow blindness." It is a problem for skiers, snowmobilers and others who spend a lot of time outside.

When your eyes have short-term, but intense exposure to UV-B rays, you can experience eye pain, sensitivity to light and the sensation of having sand in your eye. While the damage is not usually permanent, it can take a week for the cornea to heal.

The solution? Wear sunglasses that provide protection from ultraviolet light. The Prevent Blindness America association says sunglasses should block at least 70 percent of visible light but in areas where light is intense, such as on snow, choose sunglasses that block 85 percent to 90 percent of visible light.