• Journal of Korean Ophthalmic Optics Society
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• v.12 no.4
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• pp.19-22
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• 2007

Recently, the population of people exploring High Mountain trekking or expedition is increasing as an increase in the backpackers. Many accidents occurring at High Mountain above 6,000 m are the results of snow blindness. The damage of cornea and/or retina is direct cause of snow blindness. The UV intensity increases on the hand, along with the altitude caused by decrease in the atmospheric pressure, on the other hand the reflections by bright snow at high mountain area. And it increases approximately 3 times and 4 times higher than the ground level at altitude of 4,000 m and 8,000 m, respectively. The use of sunglasses is more favorable than goggles for the protection of snow blindness at High Mountains. The eye frames that have high mechanical strength and the plastic lenses which can protect UV 100% are recommended. The attachable shielding pads are needed to prevent the incident UV light reflected or scattered from the gap between glasses frame and face. The sunglasses must have flexible and long temples to wind the ears adequately for the prevention of detachment during climbing and it is recommended that the metal frame to be coated with plastics to prevent the eye surroundings from frostbite.