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Tanning Bed Eye Dangers

According to ITV.com, binge tanning is on the rise, especially among young women. Tanning salons appear on street corners, in salons and in your local mall. Tanners visit these salons in the hopes of maintaining a bronzed glow. ITV.com warns that people of all ages should stay away from tanning beds and use sun protection factor lotions. Although skin cancer cases are on the rise, permanent eye damage can occur from ultraviolet rays in tanning beds that cannot be reversed.

  1. Warning

    • Indoor tanning salons require use of eye goggles for protection. Tanning beds emit ultraviolet rays at a higher rate than normal outdoor sun exposure. These intense rays require proper eye protection. Some tanning salons offer tanning goggles for use free of charge, while others typically charge under $10, as of September 2009, to buy your own set of protective goggles. Exposure to these rays without protection can cause serious vision problems that are not easy to correct.

    Cataracts

    • A cataract is a disease that clouds the eye's lens. As you age, proteins in the eye that protect it from this condition start to break down and develop a clouding effect. This effect gets worse with age. Due to the higher sun exposure from ultraviolet rays, indoor tanning causes increased risk in developing certain types of cataracts. Although not all indoor salons enforce the wearing of goggles, it is highly recommended for every session.

    Snow Blindness

    • There is a condition known as photokeratitis. This condition is caused by a burn to the cornea due to overexposure to ultraviolet light. Also called snow blindness, it is painful and can be avoided by using sunglasses outdoors or goggles while tanning indoors. Although the burning is temporary, usually lasting between 24 and 48 hours, this condition can impact your eyes long-term by inducing certain types of cataracts or macular degeneration. Macular degeneration is an eye disorder that makes it difficult to see fine details. According to the All About Vision website, macular degeneration is the leading cause of blindness and vision loss for adults over 65.

    Skin Cancer

    • Exposure to indoor tanning can cause skin cancer. Skin cancer easily can develop around the eyelids without proper protection because the skin is sensitive to ultraviolet exposure. Basal cell carcinoma can develop on the lower lid of the eye, the corner of the eye or under eyebrows. Using goggles or sun protection factor lotions to cover these areas is highly recommended.

    Warning

    • Even if you wear contacts, cover your face with a towel or close your eyelids, you still need to use goggles to protect your eyes. Ultraviolet rays will penetrate contacts, fabrics and your eyelids. Goggles are the only way to ensure your eyes receive the protection they need to avoid long-term vision problems.

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