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