Can you get an eye disease from being out in snow for too long?

I think it's called snow-blindedness. It comes from the snow reflecting UV radiation up intor your eyes.

Normally you wouldn't stare at the sun, so your eyes aren't absorbing as much UV radiation. In snow, however, UV is reflected upwards into your eyes. It can cause permanent blindness in severe cases.

You can get Snow Blindness if you're out for too long, without sunglasses on.... and the damage can be permanent - not something you would ever want to happen !

Snow blindness is a painful condition, typically a keratitis, caused by exposure of unprotected eyes to the ultraviolet (UV) rays in bright sunlight reflected from snow or ice. This is especially a problem in polar regions and at high altitudes, as with every thousand feet increase in elevation, the intensity of UV rays goes up five percent.

The problem is also related to the condition arc eye sometimes experienced by welders.

Snow blindness is akin to a sunburn of the cornea and conjunctiva, and may not be noticed for several hours from exposure. Symptoms can run the gamut from eyes being bloodshot and teary to increased pain, feeling gritty and swelling shut. Snow blindness only causes permanent vision loss in very severe cases.

the cold is a drain on your system . the cold or snow itself do not carry bacterial infections or viruses. you can of coarse freeze .

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