snow blindness

American  

noun

1. the usually temporary dimming of the sight caused by the glare of reflected sunlight on snow.

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Other Word Forms

• snow-blind adjective

Etymology

Origin of snow blindness

First recorded in 1740–50

Example Sentences

His travels include encounters with Inuit people, snow blindness and a stinging need for solitude that leads him to abandon his family for a life in the Arctic trading post.

From Los Angeles Times

“Snow reflects UV light, which is a problem, which is why humans get snow blindness.”

From Seattle Times

Haidri said a Pakistani mountaineer, Asif Bhatti, was stranded on Nanga Parbat because of snow blindness, and efforts were underway to rescue him.

From Seattle Times

He was relieved when I told him a temporary case of snow blindness was the worst that had happened to the couple from San Jose State.

From Los Angeles Times

Severson hadn’t brought sunglasses and didn’t consider the threat of snow blindness until the drive home, when he felt like “screaming.”

From Los Angeles Times