Posted : 08/01/2001

Posted : 08/01/2001

Eye On Education
Reinforcing The Eyewear Issue

by Judie Bizzozero

Editor's Note: Special thanks to Betsy Zabel from Eye Pro for providing the new medical information on eye diseases and conditions.

For years, we've preached the good word about using protective eyewear during tanning and making sure that your customers are using properly sanitized eyewear.

The May issue of LOOKING FIT discussed potential hazards and conditions resulting from tanning without eye protection and tanning with contaminated eyewear, including pinkeye, impetigo, viral or bacterial infections, cold sores, corneal burns and brunescent cataracts.

This article discusses other eye diseases that can creep into your tanning salon and have a dramatic, negative impact on your business. By understanding their symptoms and indicators you can identify these types of infections quickly.

Molluscum Contagiosum

This superficial skin infection is caused by a poxvirus. Close physical contact usually is necessary for transmission; however, indirect transmission from shared towels, eyewear and swimming pools can cause contact with the infection.

The incubation period varies from several weeks to several months, and symptoms include small, discrete, round pearly white growths on the skin. Common sites of the infection are the eyelids, neck, trunk and anogenital areas. The growths can measure between 2-5 mm and their sunken centers contain a white, curdy-type material. The bumps often remain unchanged for many months, after which they disappear; however, shaving or scratching may cause the infection to spread.

Blepharitis

Blepharitis is a chronic inflammation of the eyelids that causes swelling, itching and irritation. There are two types-- seborrheic and staphylococcus--which are common in both children and adults.

Seborrheic blepharitis is associated with dandruff of the scalp and may be part of an overall skin disease that also affects the chest, back and behind the ears. The condition is characterized by redness of the eyelids and scaling and flaking around the eyelashes. The glands of the eyelids produce an abnormal quantity and quality of tear film that causes the formation of greasy, waxy scales, which accumulate at the base of the eyelashes and flake off easily. Several factors including hormones, nutrition, general physical condition and stress may contribute to the development of this condition.

Staph blepharitis is a more severe condition that often begins in childhood and continues through adulthood. Staph blepharitis is caused by bacteria staphylococcus aureus, and it is characterized by matted, hard crusts around the eyelashes. The crust can make opening the eyes in the morning difficult. Removal of the crusts often leaves small ulcers, which bleed or ooze. In some cases, a red eye may develop or a sty may form and a loss of lashes or broken lashes can occur. If left untreated, staph blepharitis may lead to infection and scarring of the cornea and other areas of the eye.

Herpes

Herpes simplex virus (HSV) infections involving the eyelid can present in one of two forms. The classic appearance involves an accumulation of small vesicles or pustules along the lid margin and/or periocular skin. These lesions typically have an inflamed, erythematous base. Within the first week of infection, the vesicles may ulcerate or harden into crusts.

A second "erosive-ulcerative" form of HSV blepharitis presents itself with erosions of the lid at the Gray line or ulcers along the lid margin, or a combination of both. Typically, the lid displays generalized swelling and redness associated with these lesions. Symptoms include pain and tenderness upon touch and increased tear secretion in severe cases. If the conjunctiva is involved, tarsal follicles may be observed along with bulbar injection and chemosis, which is swelling of the membranes that line the eyelids and surface of the eyes. Swollen pre-auricular nodes on the involved side are common.

The herpes virus, which causes cold sores, also can infect the membranes of the eye. Herpes simplex keratitis causes inflammation of the white of the eye and can damage the cornea. Herpes infection in the eye can cause corneal scarring with vision loss.

Signs and symptoms include pain, red eye, tearing, light sensitivity, irritation, scratchiness and decreased vision.

Protective Measures

Now that you've increased your medical knowledge, there are a number of things you can do to curb the risk of one of these diseases overtaking your salon.

The first and most obvious is to educate your staff about the importance of providing clean, sanitized protective eyewear to each and every tanner. FDA regulations require that not only must there be signs posted on the equipment, but salon owners also must explain the proper use of protective eyewear to every customer. Failure to comply puts the owner at risk of being held liable in professional liability lawsuits.

Additionally, Texas is the only state that requires tanning salons to offer the eyewear at no charge. Therefore, salons that suggest their customers buy their own set of protective eyewear can increase their profits--especially when they are being sold as an accessory they need to preserve their own personal health.

Brenda Fishbaugh, president of Ft. Wayne, Ind.-based Eye Pro, makers of Wink*Ease and VIEWkeepers! disposable eyewear, is taking education to a higher level by unveiling a new educational campaign targeted toward salons teaching customers about the potential dangers of tanning without properly sanitized eyewear. The campaign includes informational posters, counter mats and beds cards, as well as a new PowerPoint presentation that is shown during trainings around the country.

"One of the biggest challenges we have as an industry is getting the employees to use protective eyewear while tanning," she says. "Even though they tell tanners that eyewear is required, it is hard to drive home the point if they don't practice what they preach."

The PowerPoint presentation is conducted at educational seminars and includes pictures of some of the eye diseases that can invade a salon. "When they see the presentation, their eyes open and they understand the importance. A picture is worth a thousand words," she says. "Our new counter mats were created to educate the regular tanners and the hardcore tanner."

The front side of the counter mat provides general eyewear information as well as a convenient color vision test. The flip side includes more graphic images of eye diseases and conditions to help salons educate the hard-core tanners who don't wear protection and think they are immune from potential diseases.

Toledo-based Lucas Products, makers of Super Sunnies, iGear and Lucasol disinfectant, also is waging a campaign by participating in educational symposiums and salon certifications. The company not only stresses the importance of protective eyewear, but also of properly sanitized eyewear.

The FDA requires that goggles must be soaked in a disinfectant for eight hours in the salon in order to be sanitary--not just a few times a day. For salons, selling customers their own pair of goggles is a great way to help ensure that they are using sanitary eyewear. According to Dave Orwick, sales manager for Lucas Products, salon owners can earn an extra $5,000 or more each year by selling eyewear.

"Salons can explain to customers that they do a great job of cleaning and disinfecting the eyewear, but wouldn't it be nicer if they had their own pair that has the headband attached?" he says.

However, just because you have your own pair of goggles, don't think you don't need to clean them. Heat from the tanning bed can build up the bacteria in the goggle over time. Additionally, goggles should be kept in a sanitary container.

"Would you throw your toothbrush in the bottom of the purse and then re-use it?" asks Eye Pro's Fishbaugh. "The same thing goes for eyewear--whether it's goggles or disposables."

She notes that the biggest benefit of disposable eyewear is that there is no chance for infection. Disposable eyewear is completely sanitary because the tanner is just wearing it once and then throwing it in the trash.

Whether the salon provides free disposable eyewear or goggles, some salons are encouraging clients to purchase their own set of goggles each and every time they tan.

"I know of a salon in Indiana that sells any pair of goggles for $1 if tanners don't like disposable," she says. "Not everyone wants to wear disposables, but for a buck, even a starving student can afford to protect their eyes."

Whether a salon gives away or sells disposable eyewear, Fishbaugh stresses that it is designed for one-time use. "Some people get two or three tanning sessions out of one pair, but they really are designed for one-time use to ensure 100-percent cleanliness."

On a side note, tanners wearing contact lenses may experience dry eyes after their tanning sessions. Fishbaugh, a contact lens wearer herself, suggests that salons provide individual tear-off vials of saline solution. "Salons can keep them at the front desk and provide them to customers who ask for them," she says. "It's a great service to offer and it's very affordable."

The Bottom Line

The issue of eyewear is as important as any in the tanning equation. Whether your salon offers goggles or disposables, you must make it your mission to educate your staff and customers about the necessity of wearing clean, protective eyewear each and every time they tan.