can dogs get snowblindness?

Monday April 24th XC skied up to Pt. 5328 out of Glacier Crk Rd (FR 39) northwest of Mt Baker.  The plowing ended at about 3000 feet which was pretty high considering roads around Pinus Lake down to 2500 feet still has atleast a foot of continuous snow in open areas.  On the way back down, 2 tele skiers glided by me with their dogs.  They were coming down from about 7000 feet on Heliotrope Ridge.

As many of you probably know, it was warm and sunny last weekend.  I've never skied so late in the season before and have never had my dog on such continuous amounts of snow. 

My question is this: has anyone ever heard of a dog getting snowblindness?

Certainly not if they're sportin' their DOGGLES .
Here's Jelly Belly seemingly oblivious to her way cool eye wear while mooching grub at the 1st annual Crystal Fest:
http://groups.msn.com/_Secure/0TAAAAFAWVUOYJn7xDc5omBQnTLrzm8VNzeTf5XzaO11DTdMz59EsnORBjcbZgocgbCe4HckcPi8xfPN*CYGbZbVdWznPN*BZ3yVHI*jUf9oCqqR6H1u9mw/P1005577.jpg?dc=4675418840033123814

There is anecdotal evidence of dogs getting snowblind:

www.sleddogcentral.com/sdctalk_6/_disc6/00000401.htm

Another reference also suggests they can:
www.rockymountainnews.com/drmn/other_rec...3950_4423210,00.html

I never saw any evidence in my own dogs even on long spring/summer days on bright snow. On the other hand, this article notes other hazards, such as joint damage from postholing in deep unsupportive snow that I believe are a much more signicant and often ignored by eager powderhounds who are dragging their loyal and unflinching pals along w/o realizing they'd do pretty much anything to stay in the fun (guilty as charged and not especially proud of a few big powder days with the dogs - when I have some younger, fit dogs in the future I'll leave them behind on such days). Actually, semi-supportive snow seemed the worst, with infrequent but apparently painful postholing happening on the descent. While I'm sure it happens, in my own experience snowblindness was a theoretical hazard compared to postholing, being cut by errant ski edges, abrasion of paw pads in abrasive spring/summer snow (only one of our dogs - the "tenderpaw" suffered this), and most sadly, leptospirosis which I suspect was contracted on a summer hike in the mountains.

Well, just from experience (kind of), I certainly think so. A few years back I traveled with a pooch regularly on the glaciers in the spring and summer. His eyes watered like crazy and he was often putting his face down to avoid the glare. When I jokingly put my own polarized sunglasses on him, his entire body completely relaxed, and well, he seemed much happier. Given the fairly inexpensive cost of DOGGLES, I'd go for it if I were touring with a dog. But, as previous replies have stated, there are much more serious concerns with the paws & joints.

~Lara

Thanks for all the input!

I bought my dog a pair of Doggles today for $14.95 at Walker's Healthy Pet in Bellingham. Doggles.com had a pair for for $21.95 so I don't know if these are as good. I think they'll do the trick.

Now, I just have to get him used to wearing them and not pawing them off!