Tanning Safety: How to Keep Your Eyes - and Eyelids - Safe

​With summer just around the corner, you may be thinking about working on your tan. Whether you like to tan outside in the sun’s natural rays or inside in a tanning bed, your eyes need protection from harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays. 
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​Although we often close our eyes when we tan, our eyelids are not sufficient protection against UV rays. 
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UV rays can pass through our eyelids and damage our eyes unbeknownst to us. Further, our eyelids can burn, just like the any other skin of our body. Eyelid burns are painful, not uncommon, and require appropriate evaluation and care from an ophthalmologist. 

Exposure to UV radiation may increase risk of cataracts, as well as eye and eyelid growths, including cancer. It can also lead to photokeratitis, a painful eye condition that affects the cornea (clear, protective layer around the eye) and the conjunctiva (cell layer cover the insides of the eyelids and whites of the eye).
 
According to the American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO), “Photokeratitis is like having a sunburned eye.” Unfortunately, it is not usually detected until well after the damage has occurred, much like a sunburn of the skin. Symptoms of photokeratitis include:

• Pain
• Redness
• Blurry vision
• Tearing
• Gritty feeling
• Swelling
• Light sensitivity
• Headache
• Halos
• Small pupils
• Twitching eyelids
• Temporary vision loss or color change (rare)

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Protecting Your Eyes While Tanning

If you are tanning outside, always wear appropriate, full-coverage sunglasses. Look for sunglasses labeled “100% UV Protection”, and make sure they are tall and wide enough to cover your eyes and eyelids completely.
 
If you choose to tan in a tanning bed, always wear goggles specifically intended for indoor tanning, and be sure to place them properly to cover your eyelids completely and prevent eyelid burns. Sunglasses will not full protect your eyes from the UV rays produced by the tanning bed. The AAO states, “Tanning beds can produce UV levels up to 100 times what you would get from the sun, which can cause serious damage to the external and internal structures of the eye and eyelids.” Please see the AAO’s article on Indoor Tanning Eye Safety for additional risks, warnings, and information regarding indoor tanning.
 
Following these simple tips can keep your eyes and eyelids safe while tanning. If you have any questions about eye and eyelid, please do not hesitate to contact us.
 
For additional information on tanning eye safety, please visit the following AAO articles:

• The Sun, UV Radiation and Your Eyes
• Summer UV Eye Safety
• Indoor Tanning Eye Safety
• What Is Photokeratitis – Including Snow Blindness?

 
From all of us at Kadrmas Eye Care New England, please tan safely!