Tanning Beds Cause Irreversible Eye Damage

As cold weather approaches and you sadly watch your summer tan fade, you might be tempted to hit a tanning bed to keep that summer glow going.  I have another reason for you think twice before making the decision to soak in those concentrated UV rays:  irreversible eye damage.  We all know about the skin cancer risks that come from using a tanning bed, but I just found out that tanning beds are also extremely dangerous for your eyes.

Los Angeles ophthalmologist Dr. Paul Dougherty is a clinical instructor of ophthalmology at UCLA’s Jules Stein Institute.  He published information about the irreversible damages caused to the eye by tanning beds to create awareness about these issues.  Pterygium (non-cancerous growth of the clear, thin tissue that lays over the white of the eye), cornea damage, and squamous cell cancer of the eye are all serious medical problems that can be caused by unprotected use of tanning beds.  Continued use of tanning beds without proper eye protection can cause cataracts and cornea damage.

These damages to your eyes are extremely serious and are possibly irreversible, so it’s important to know the risks you are taking when you tan without protecting your eyes.  Obviously the easiest way to avoid putting yourself at risk for these conditions is to avoid tanning beds altogether.  There are so many reasons to stay away from these hotbeds for disease that I would really suggest focusing on keeping your skin smooth instead of keeping it tan.  Use a bronzer to add a little golden glow to combat the pale skin tones of winter.

If you really feel that you must fake and bake, Dr. Dougherty recommends that you invest in high quality protective goggles and keep your eyes closed.  But why put yourself at risk?  I say that pale skin is in.

Image: Evil Erin on Flickr