Board Thread:Lore Discussion/@comment-2165692-20140425203121/@comment-6881629-20150607084517

Read the Falmer wiki page -

"A common misconception among the people of Tamriel is that the Snow Elves were tricked by the Dwemer into eating a mushroom native only to Blackreach, which then turned them into the repulsive creatures they are today; however, with the introduction of The Elder Scrolls V: Dawnguard, an unsullied Snow Elf by the name of Knight-Paladin Gelebor stated that with the little chance of survival, they willingly took to servitude and the poison that rendered them blind. Years of slavery and the blinding poison turned them into the sick and twisted race they are currently."