snow blindness
noun
: inflammation and photophobia caused by exposure of the eyes to ultraviolet rays reflected from snow or ice
Examples of snow blindness in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
One of the ways this disorienting loss of depth perception is caused is by snow blindness during a blizzard, which can cause hallucinations.
—
Kathleen Rellihan, Outside, 4 Sep. 2025
The technology has certainly come a long way from when Inuit hunter-gatherers used to wear caribou antlers carved with thin slits in order to prevent snow blindness.
—Todd Plummer, Robb Report, 21 Feb. 2025
For anyone who’s been lucky enough not to experience it, snow blindness—technically called ultraviolet (UV) keratitis—happens when your corneas are exposed to too much ultraviolet light, which reflects off snow.
—Kristin Canning, SELF, 6 Feb. 2025
It’s also known as snow blindness or welder’s flash when it’s caused by sunlight reflecting off snow in arctic conditions or the light from a welder’s torch.
—Daniel Wu, Washington Post, 9 Apr. 2024
Protecting your eyes from snow blindness is no joke.
—Mike Richard, Men's Health, 16 Sep. 2022
This is part of the snow blindness created by oppression in this country by a dominant group.
—Maureen Lee Lenker, EW.com, 23 Mar. 2022
Another challenge for those who lived in Arctic regions was snow blindness.
—Emma Yasinski, Discover Magazine, 16 Mar. 2021
In airy PS 64 Frederick Law Olmsted, in affluent, white north Buffalo, 22 would-be Arctic explorers wrestled with how to build a shelter if their team leader had frostbite and snow blindness.
—NBC News, 14 Oct. 2020
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Kathleen Rellihan, Outside, 4 Sep. 2025
The technology has certainly come a long way from when Inuit hunter-gatherers used to wear caribou antlers carved with thin slits in order to prevent snow blindness.
—Todd Plummer, Robb Report, 21 Feb. 2025
For anyone who’s been lucky enough not to experience it, snow blindness—technically called ultraviolet (UV) keratitis—happens when your corneas are exposed to too much ultraviolet light, which reflects off snow.
—Kristin Canning, SELF, 6 Feb. 2025
It’s also known as snow blindness or welder’s flash when it’s caused by sunlight reflecting off snow in arctic conditions or the light from a welder’s torch.
—Daniel Wu, Washington Post, 9 Apr. 2024
Protecting your eyes from snow blindness is no joke.
—Mike Richard, Men's Health, 16 Sep. 2022
This is part of the snow blindness created by oppression in this country by a dominant group.
—Maureen Lee Lenker, EW.com, 23 Mar. 2022
Another challenge for those who lived in Arctic regions was snow blindness.
—Emma Yasinski, Discover Magazine, 16 Mar. 2021
In airy PS 64 Frederick Law Olmsted, in affluent, white north Buffalo, 22 would-be Arctic explorers wrestled with how to build a shelter if their team leader had frostbite and snow blindness.
—NBC News, 14 Oct. 2020
Cite this Entry
“Snow blindness.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/snow%20blindness. Accessed 31 Oct. 2025.
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