Applying Green's radiation model, the increase with altitude of ultraviolet radiation effective to produce erythema, keratitis, and cataract have been calculated. The reflectance of the terrain yields the most significant influence. With regard to erythema, keratitis, and cataract, the increase with altitude of irradiation onto a horizontal plane varies between 1.07–1.59 per 3000 m dependent on solar elevation, step in altitude, and albedo of the terrain. If the eyes are directed towards the terrain, as usually practiced when hiking in high mountain regions, the ocular exposures of ultraviolet radiation effective to produce keratitis and cataract increase by a factor of 16 at the transition from snow-free to snow-covered terrain.
AnonymousProtecting of man from UV exposure (Editorial). The Lancet1991; 337, 1258–1259
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