How winter sun can damage eyes

Just because winter’s here, there’s no reason to ditch your skincare regime. Eyes in particular get a lot of flack this season. Shades are out, SPF seems unnecessary and winter sun – and it is a common thing – is low in the sky, so, unlike summer sun, it shines directly into you eyes.

If you’re going heading to a ski resort in the next few months – or anywhere sunny – you’ll be subjecting your eyes to even more potential damage. In fact snow blindness is a recognised condition, called photokeratitis.

Photokeratitis, according to Amy Waldenod, is a painful eye condition that occurs when your eye is exposed to invisible ultraviolet rays. Although some symptoms may occur as early as one hour, it may take up to 6 to 12 hours to show up after UV exposure. The longer you are exposed to UV rays, the more severe your symptoms tend to be.

Symptoms may include:

• Pain
• Tearing of your eyes
• Redness
• Swollen Eyelids
• Headache
• Gritty Feeling in your eyes
• Halos
• Foggy Vision

If you have any of these symptoms after a long day in the snow or sun in winter months, you may be able to treat these symptoms at home for relief. They usually go away on their end, but the pain can be unbearable if left untreated. The goal is to make your eyes feel better as soon as possible so you do not have further issues. If you wear contact lenses, remove them and also, get out of the sun as quickly as you can.

So this winter, don’t be ashamed to wear the shades and use some protective creams like Guinot Age Sun Yeux – Eye Anti-Ageing Sun Protection SPF30. This helps deepen tan, whilst protecting the eye contour from the effects of sun ageing, thanks to filters which are reinforced with Nucleic Defense® DNA.

Age Sun Yeux restores a glowing complexion and visibly rejuvenates, thanks to its Cellular Life Complex with 56 regenerating active ingredients.

It’s easy to use, just apply to the contours of the eyes 15 to 30 minutes before exposure, and re-apply regularly.

Nucleic Defense DNA®: The first sun protection concept which incorporates DNA molecules, in addition to sun filters. Their role is to absorb and neutralise the UV rays, which would otherwise have damaged the DNA of skin cells.

The Cellular Life Complex: Composed of 56 biological active ingredients vital to the existence of cells.