Tanning beds have long been a popular way to achieve that sun-kissed glow without spending hours outdoors. However, while many people are aware of the potential risks to your skin associated with tanning beds, the impact they may have on eye health is often overlooked. Yes, tanning beds can cause serious eye damage if proper precautions are not taken.
Protecting your eyes isn’t just about good vision; it’s also about safeguarding your long-term eye health.
How Do Tanning Beds Work?
Tanning beds are designed to replicate the effects of sun exposure by emitting ultraviolet (UV) radiation. They simulate sunlight using fluorescent bulbs that produce mainly UVA rays to darken the skin. Often marketed as a convenient way to tan indoors, they‘ve gained significant popularity since their invention in the 1970s.
Originally developed to help scientists study the effects of UV radiation on human skin, tanning beds quickly made their way into salons and homes as a cosmetic tool. Today, while they remain a staple in the beauty industry, they’re also a topic of ongoing health discussions.
Potential Dangers of Tanning Beds
Tanning beds have been associated with a range of health risks. While many people swear by their aesthetic appeal, their broader effects on health can’t be denied. Excessive exposure to UV rays is a significant concern.
The most widely recognized concern associated with tanning beds is skin cancer. While the sun is a natural source of UV radiation and an excellent source of vitamin D, artificial sources of UV light, such as tanning beds, increase the likelihood of skin damage, early aging, and forms of cancer like melanoma.
Even brief sessions in a tanning bed can expose the skin to harmful radiation levels. They don’t even offer large amounts of vitamin D, since the bulbs mostly emit UVA light, and our body needs UVB light to make vitamin D.
How Do Tanning Beds Cause Eye Damage?
What many don’t realize is that UV exposure also poses a risk to the eyes. This risk is magnified for tanning bed users who forego proper eye protection. Without adequate shielding, the eyes are directly exposed to concentrated UV radiation, which can result in immediate and long-term health complications.
Since tanning beds emit concentrated levels of UV radiation, including both UVA and UVB rays, the effect is not unlike staring directly into the sun. Prolonged exposure to UV rays harms various eye structures, leading to potentially irreversible damage. The eyes, like the skin, rely on natural defenses to combat UV exposure outdoors. Inside a tanning bed, however, the concentrated and direct exposure far exceeds natural levels.
Such high levels of exposure can increase your risk of developing eye conditions, such as:
- Photokeratitis: This condition, often referred to as a “corneal sunburn,” occurs when UV rays inflame the cornea. Symptoms include redness, tearing, pain, and sensitivity to light.
- Cataracts: Repeated UV exposure increases the risk of developing cataracts, which cloud the eye’s natural lens and impair vision over time.
- Macular degeneration: Prolonged UV exposure could accelerate retina damage, potentially contributing to macular degeneration, a leading cause of vision loss.
- Growths on the eye: Pterygium is a non-cancerous growth that develops on the conjunctiva and extends to the cornea. It’s also called “surfer’s eye,” which evokes the outdoors, but it could also happen to tanning bed users.
- Eye cancer: Although rare, excessive UV radiation exposure increases susceptibility to ocular melanoma, a type of eye cancer.
Beyond these specific conditions, tanning bed exposure can also cause immediate eye discomfort, such as dryness or irritation. Even if you don’t experience symptoms immediately, UV damage is cumulative. The longer you expose yourself to high levels of UV radiation, the more it compounds, leading to irreversible changes that impact vision quality.
Protecting Your Eyes from Tanning Beds
While avoiding tanning beds altogether is the most effective way to eliminate UV-related risks, there are steps you can take to protect your eyes if using them remains part of your routine.
Wear Protective Goggles
In all cases, you must use protective goggles specifically designed for tanning bed use. These goggles shield your eyes from UV radiation, reducing the risk of damage. Ensure that your goggles fit securely so they can block out UV rays as much as possible.
Limit Your Tanning Sessions
Excessive UV exposure increases risks to both skin and eyes. By limiting the frequency and duration of tanning sessions, you can minimize unnecessary exposure to harmful rays.
Report Symptoms Promptly
If you experience symptoms such as burning, irritation, or blurred vision shortly after tanning, seek medical attention immediately. Timely intervention can mitigate potential damage.
Have Regular Eye Exams
Regular eye exams can help detect early signs of conditions caused by UV exposure. Your optometrist can identify issues before they escalate and recommend steps to preserve eye health.
Adopt these protective measures so that your tanning sessions don’t come at the cost of your eye health.
See Your Future Clearly & Book an Eye Exam Today
Your eyes are irreplaceable. Know how to protect them in all situations, whether in everyday life or during tanning sessions. While many swear by how tanning beds can provide that golden glow to their skin, tanning beds can also carry hidden dangers if you ignore precautions.
At Total Vision Novato, we’re passionate about helping you maintain healthy eyes for years to come. If it’s been a while since your last eye exam or you’ve experienced discomfort after tanning, our knowledgeable optometrists are here to assist. Don’t leave your vision to chance!Protect your eyes. Preserve your sight. Schedule your appointment now.
