Tanning Beds and Eye Safety: How to Know if Tanning is Safe for Eyes
There are a lot of myths surrounding tanning beds and eye safety. There is a myth that tanning beds are safer for the eyes and that simply isn’t true. The fact is, a tanning bed is no different than laying out in the sun.
If you are an avid tanner, you may be curious how damaging to the eyes tanning can be and whether it’s safer to use a tanning bed. The ultraviolet rays from tanning bulbs are the same as the UVA and UVB rays emitted by the sun – and no UV rays are safe for your eyes. What’s more, people over the age of 35 have a 75 percent higher risk of sun-related damage. Therefore, older folks should be even more careful when exposed to UV rays.
Experts agree tanning beds are not a safe alternative to sunbathing. Take a moment to evaluate what eye care professionals say about tanning beds.
Top 5 Ways to Make Eye Health a Priority
According to the FDA, cataracts and photokeratitis are two general eye conditions caused by the damaging effects of ultraviolet light. You will need to visit your optometrist or optician for treatment if you experience this type of UV damage.
Here are a few of the things you can do to make eye health a priority while tanning.
If you still want to tan, make sure you always wear protective eyewear.
1. Wear Protective Goggles Every Time
Do not get into the tanning bed without protective eye goggles. If you didn’t bring any with you, they sell them at every tanning salon. Buy an extra pair to keep in your car or purse.
2. Never Tan Longer Than Recommended
Excess exposure will cause damage to the sensitive tissue of your eyeballs, even with protective gear. There is a limit to the amount of UV rays filtered out by goggles.
3. Wear Sunglasses After Tanning
When you leave the tanning salon, your eyes will be sensitive to the UV rays emitted by the sun. Continue to protect your eyes by further limiting UV ray exposure with sunglasses.
4. Use Eye Drops
You may not experience the discomfort of dry eye, but your eyes are still going to be drier than they would be had you avoided UV exposure altogether. Keep your eyes moisturized.
5. Visit Your Eye Care Professional Regularly
Your optometrist or optician will be able to see damage to your eyes that you are unable to see. They can diagnose any issues that UV rays may cause with your eyes. It is recommended that you see your eye care professional every one to two years.
The Best Way to Practice Eye Safety While Tanning
Your eyes are important. Treat them right by practicing eye safety whenever you go tanning. It doesn’t matter if you tan inside at a salon, or outside in the yard. If you believe that you’ve experienced the damaging effects of UV rays, visit the eye care professionals at Looking Glass Optical. With more than 50 years of collective experience, you can trust that you are in good hands.
Are you concerned with whether tanning in a tanning bed has affected your vision? If so, request an appointment with one of our professional eye care specialists today to schedule an appointment. Also, make sure to check out our blog for more eye health tips.
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