Do Tanning Beds Cause Eye Damage?

Tanning beds simulate the effects of the sun in a small concentrated area. The sun emits ultraviolet rays, including UVA (penetrates to deep skin layers), UVB (penetrates only the surface layer of skin) and UVC (these rays are blocked by the ozone layer). Tanning beds use a series of lamps to emit UVA and UVB rays that penetrate the skin and cause a change in the pigment melanin causing the skin to darken. Although tanning beds provide a desired cosmetic look for some, they also cause damage to the skin and eyes.

Ultraviolet Light

• UVB rays are short wavelength ultraviolet rays. These are the rays that are responsible for causing a sunburn, as they penetrate the outermost layer of the skin and can causes an influx of blood to the area creating the redness of the burn. The cells of the skin then emit chemicals to the brain that signals the pain.
  UVA rays are long wavelength ultraviolet rays that used to be thought of as the "good" rays only because they do not cause burns. However, according to the FDA, there is no safe tan. The presence of a tan signals skin damage, which leads to the signs of aging and more serious conditions.
  In the eyes, the cornea and lens absorb UVA and UVB rays, which can cause damage to the eyes.

Photokeratitis

• Photokeratitis is sunburn of the cornea, which is the transparent cover of the eye. This is caused by intense exposure to UVB rays, including sunlight at high altitudes and some tanning bulbs. The symptoms of photokeratitis include increased tear production, pain, swollen eyelids, gritty feeling in the eye, and hazy or reduced vision. This condition is treatable with a prescription topical ointment.

Cataracts

• A cataract is the clouding of the natural lens of the eye resulting in decreased vision. Exposure to ultraviolet light, both from the sun and from tanning beds, is known to increase the chance of cataracts. The symptoms of cataracts include loss of color intensity, double vision, difficulty seeing at night, seeing halos around lights and being sensitive to glare. Cataracts must be surgically removed, and your vision may not return to the same level it was prior to the cataracts.

Other Conditions

• Increased exposure to ultraviolet light from tanning beds can also lead to other conditions, including cancer around the eyes and pterygium, which is an irregular growth that can block your vision. Macular degeneration, a condition that affects the part of the retina responsible for central vision, can also result from overexposure to ultraviolet light.

Protection

• The best protection for your whole body is to heed the warnings and refrain from using tanning beds. However, if you do use one, be sure to always wear goggles to protect your eyes. The goggles must provide 100 percent UV protection and they must fit properly. If they are loose, ask for another pair or bring your own as the resulting consequences are too high to ignore.