Almost everyone loves a good tan but getting one can be dangerous if you don’t use tanning goggles. Tanning goggles are meant to protect the eyes every time you use a tanning bed. Without them, your eyes can be damaged by the ultraviolet (UV) rays that emit from them.
UV rays affect the surface tissues of the eye and its internal structures like the lens and the cornea. With prolonged exposure to UV rays, you can develop cataracts, skin cancer around the eyelids and a host of other eye problems. In some cases, the damage can be so severe and cause blindness.
In cataracts, the lens of the eye becomes cloudy and this can blur one’s vision. Snow blindness or photokeratitis is another problem associated with excessive exposure to UV rays. This is a painful burn in the cornea that can result from staying at the beach without wearing sunglasses; reflections of the light off the snow, concrete or water; or exposure to artificial sources of light like the ones used in tanning beds.
Another issue you may run into by not wearing tanning goggles is the risk of becoming color blind or night blind. Color blindness means you have trouble differentiating between colors (usually certain ones) and night blindness makes it hard for you to see shapes after dark. Both blindness may not be as debilitating as losing your sight permanently, but they are not something you want to gain just by being careless at the tanning booth.
The most common form of skin cancer that affects the eyelids is basal cell carcinoma. This causes lesions to develop on the lower lid of the eye, in the corner of the eye, the area on and around the eyelids or under the eyebrows.
Fortunately, all these can be prevented simply by wearing goggles made specifically for tanning beds. You don’t have to go far to get them. They are available at any tanning salon or can be bought at many online stores. What’s more, there are many colors and styles to choose from. Make it a habit to use them for a safe tanning experience.