Kashmir Snow, Soothing To Eyes, Also Causes Snow Blindness: Ophthalmologist Explains Symptoms And Treatment

1 year ago

In an exclusive conversation with ETV Bharat, Dr Asif Amin Vakil talks about the symptoms and treatment of the disease, reports Parvez Ud din.

Transcript

00:00During snowfall, when the rays of the sun fall directly on the eyes, it affects the eyes, this disease is called snow blindness.

00:09What is snow blindness in reality?

00:11Which people are more affected by this disease?

00:14And what precautions should be taken during the days of snowfall?

00:18We have with us the famous ophthalmologist of the valley of Kashmir, Dr. Asif Ameen Makhil, who is an associate professor at GMC Srinagar.

00:28First of all, I would like to know what snow blindness really is?

00:34Because ordinary people do not know that snow blindness is also a disease that affects the eyes.

00:41In winter, the geographical region where we live, which is above the sea level, the ozone level is already low, so UV light is more.

00:59There are three types of UVA, UVB and UVC.

01:03Usually, UVC is a natural disease that the atmosphere itself stops.

01:11Because of the ozone layer, because of the atmosphere, it cannot reach here.

01:1690% of UVB also gets cut because of the atmosphere.

01:20Only 10% of UVB reaches the earth.

01:24So most of the UVA reaches the earth.

01:28So the more we go above the sea level, the more it increases.

01:34Because the cutting effect of the atmosphere decreases, it can reach us more.

01:42When we talk about snow blindness, it is a particular term.

01:47One is coming from above, the other is also affecting us from the rebound.

01:54Normally, when there is no snow, the earth absorbs it.

01:59When there is snow, it radiates and affects us again.

02:05Why is it called snow blindness?

02:08Because when UV light falls on our cornea, which is transparent in front of our eyes,

02:16there are some wounds due to the UV light.

02:20If someone has an acute wound, the patient understands the result after 8 hours.

02:29What happens in that?

02:31Symptoms.

02:32Yes, symptoms.

02:33So tears start coming, it turns red, it feels like a chili has fallen in the eye.

02:39Because of the damage to the cornea, it is called photokeratitis in medical terms.

02:47In common language, it is called snow blindness.

02:50Does it also cause pain?

02:51Definitely.

02:53So it becomes difficult to open your eyes.

02:56That's why it is called snow blindness.

02:58Can it affect everyone who goes out of the house during the snowstorm?

03:03Or the players who go to places where there is a lot of snow?

03:06It is a very good question.

03:08It is very apt for this time.

03:10Because we are welcoming all the skiers right now.

03:13The more exposure there is, it depends on how much exposure there is.

03:20In Gulmarg and Silmarg, the higher you go, the more UV light will fall.

03:26It is higher.

03:28The skiers who are coming, they can have more effect than this.

03:34So they should be very careful.

03:38It is a very good step that we are educating people.

03:43So UV protected sunglasses is a must.

03:47It should be 100% UV blocking.

03:50Actually, a lot of people, except for professional skiers, wear any type of sunglasses.

03:58That is more dangerous.

04:01Because of the darkness, the pupils dilate more.

04:04And the sunglasses that are sold in the market,

04:10because of that, the radiation cannot be cut.

04:14Because they are only dark.

04:16They don't give you UV protection.

04:18So basically we need UV protection.

04:21Please take those sunglasses for skiing.

04:25Which are 100% UV blocking sunglasses.

04:30Not any ordinary dark glasses.

04:33So because of this, we have seen a lot of patients who come with these symptoms.

04:37Yes, if someone is living there for a long time,

04:41is working there for months, it is more important for them.

04:45Because when this exposure is happening every day,

04:48even if they don't have photokeratitis,

04:51even then, God forbid, there is a risk of different diseases, long-term diseases.

04:57If you look at simple diseases,

05:00there can be conjunctivitis,

05:03there can be bengiola,

05:05God forbid, there can be lid tumors,

05:07there can be intraocular tumors,

05:09but those who have these diseases for months,

05:11No, it can happen because of this UV light.

05:15So, as an ophthalmologist,

05:18I would always suggest to wear UV protected sunglasses,

05:23especially in this geographical zone.

05:29Not only for the winters,

05:31you should also wear it in the summer.

05:33Because we have seen here,

05:35in this geographical area,

05:37all those diseases that occur due to UV light,

05:40are more common.

05:42For example, in children, there is spring catharsis,

05:45so there is a lot of involvement from April onwards.

05:49Because we are not sensitized for wearing UV protection

05:55as a measure of protecting our eyes.

05:59Sunglasses are considered to be cosmetic,

06:02but actually, it has a very functional role.

06:05To prevent age-related macular degeneration,

06:09UV blocking glasses play a very important role.

06:13Dr. Sir, I would like to know,

06:15eyes do get affected,

06:17is there a risk of blindness in this disease?

06:20No, specifically, we are talking about snow blindness.

06:25Can it only affect?

06:27Yes, it can affect.

06:28God forbid, even blindness?

06:29No, only irritable symptoms occur in the eyes,

06:34if there is a short exposure,

06:37which is called snow blindness.

06:39But as I was saying,

06:41if there is a long-term exposure,

06:43then other dangerous things can also occur due to UV light.

06:47Does it affect any particular age group?

06:51No, in any case, there will be exposure.

06:54There is no age group in this.

06:56Snow blindness occurs due to acute exposure.

06:59It can happen to anyone.

07:00As you see 4PD every day,

07:02what kind of patients do you have during this time,

07:05during the monsoon?

07:06In the monsoon, most of the patients come to us with dry eyes.

07:12Because, as you know,

07:14these days we like to sit in front of heating gadgets.

07:18So, whether it is gas heaters, blowers, air conditioners,

07:22they give dry heat.

07:24So, dehumidification happens in the room.

07:27Because of that, dry eye symptoms, irritation in the eyes,

07:31many patients come to us.

07:33Okay, let's talk about the treatment.

07:35What kind of treatment is available for this,

07:38if someone is affected by snow blindness?

07:40See, we don't have to worry about snow blindness.

07:44So, what we give is, we give lubricating drops.

07:48Depending on how much wound is there,

07:51if it is too much, we may patch overnight.

07:54But mostly, we get relief from lubricating drops only.

07:59And ice packs, the treatment is the same.

08:02Ice packs and lubricating is the treatment.

08:06That gives relief.

08:08Basically, the aim is to give relief to the patient.

08:11As an eye doctor,

08:13do you have any message for the people who would like to give an answer?

08:17I would like to give this message,

08:19that you come and do skin care.

08:21But take care of your skin care.

08:24And eyes are very vital.

08:27Because they are very sensitive organs.

08:30And if they are exposed directly,

08:32then UV radiation is very high.

08:35I don't think people are sensitized or educated about it.

08:39The higher we go from the sea level,

08:41the more UV light can affect you.

08:45So, you should invest in good UV blocking sunglasses.

08:52Especially those, which have a gap.

08:56For example, glasses have a gap.

08:58You must have seen professional skiers.

09:01The sunglasses they have are closed.

09:04They are closed from both sides.

09:06And they are attached to the skin.

09:09That is the reason.

09:11If we wear glasses,

09:13then we can reflect light from below as well.

09:19So, those sunglasses which are snugly fit.

09:23Especially those for skin.

09:25For them, it is very important.

09:27Snugly fit UV blocking sunglasses.

09:31Dr. Asif Ameen Waqeel,

09:33you talked to us and gave us your valuable time.

09:36Thank you very much.

09:37Thank you very much.

Kashmir Snow, Soothing To Eyes, Also Causes Snow Blindness: Ophthalmologist Explains Symptoms And Treatment

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