Glacier Catarrh

GLACIER CATARRH, a peculiar inflammation of the conjunctiva caused by the action of sunlight reflected from snow surfaces on mountain heights in the glacial regions. It arises after a more or less prolonged stay with unprotected eyes in mountainous snowy areas, where sunlight is especially rich in ultraviolet rays, the harmful action of which on the eye is attributed to the phenomena of this ophthalmia. Favorable factors for the development of G. catarrh are considered to be the dryness of the conjunctiva due to the dryness of the air in glacial regions and its ischemia due to cold (Gabrielides). The catarrh manifests itself (usually after a stay in such areas under sunlight, but sometimes also under cloudy sky, after several hours, more often at night) by the following gradually increasing symptoms: sharp stabbing of the conjunctiva (according to Valerio—"as a bundle of needles is inserted into the eye"), lacrimation, extreme photophobia, burning of the eyelids, and marked blepharospasm. The conjunctiva is red and edematous; sometimes ecchymoses appear, especially in the area of the eyelid fissure; mucous secretions appear, sometimes purulent; the skin of the eyelids swells and becomes erythematous. On the side of the eyeball, there is ciliary injection, sometimes marked chemosis, and in rare cases the cornea is affected, sometimes in severe forms leading to perforation. All the phenomena of the catarrh usually pass completely within a few days, and the prognosis, therefore, with respect to the catarrh itself is quite favorable. Prevention of this disease is of great importance; it is essentially analogous to other forms of eye damage caused by ultraviolet rays. Wearing protective glasses with lenses that absorb ultraviolet rays and reduce the intensity of other rays of the visible spectrum is the most effective preventive measure. Lenses of this type are especially recommended by Birch-Hirschfeld, the so-called Geaphotglas (Lieber), and dark green, yellowish-gray (Hallauer, Euphos), smoky or black glasses are also very common. Treatment of G. c. consists in the complete elimination of the influence of light as far as possible, the administration of cold compresses, the instillation of cocaine drops, and careful washing with disinfecting liquids.