Looking Fit 03/2004: The Importance Of Protective Eyewear

Focus On Function

Structurally, the eye is like a camera. The cornea protects the lens and acts as a colorless filter to refract light. The eye lens is flexible, changing thickness in response to the contraction and relaxation of the eye’s ciliary muscles. The iris is identical to the aperture in a camera, controlling the amount of light that enters the eye. The retina is like the film in a camera, projecting images onto it and then changing into electric signals. The visual cells of the retina include rods and cones. Rods are sensitive to changes in light but not color, whereas cones recognize color. The optic nerve relays signals to the visual center of the brain, giving us our vision.

The eyelid is too thin to protect the eye from ultraviolet light penetration. Too much UVB damages the cornea, while too much UVA damages the retina. UVB has such a short wavelength that it is completely absorbed by the lens (cornea) of the eye. When the cornea absorbs these rays, they can cause corneal burns. People who have had UVB overexposure to the eyes will experience swelling of the eye tissues, redness, soreness, and a feeling as though a handful of sand has been thrown in their eyes.

Because UVA has a longer wavelength, it penetrates the cornea and affects the retina, where it does considerable damage at high dosage levels. Color perception is the first thing to fail with overexposure to UVA. Retinal burns caused by UVA can produce scarring in the rods and cones of the eye, which will reduce both visual acuity and sensitivity to color. Unprotected overexposure of the eyes to UVR can also lead to brunescent cataracts.

It’s The Law

Wearing protective eyewear during an indoor tanning session is required not only to protect the tanner, but also to protect the salon from potential liability. U.S. Federal regulations (CFR 21 1040.20 (c) (4)) require that tanners wear protective eyewear that block 99.9 percent of UVB light and 99 percent of UVA light. Even in Canada, the government enforces identical requirements.

Ultimately, it is the operator’s responsibility that clients use compliant eyewear every time they tan in the tanning salon. Acceptable eyewear must state the product’s compliance with federal regulations somewhere on the packaging. Some states even require salons provide eyewear free of charge, while others only require that clients wear approved eye protection.

Don’t Be Afraid To Ask

Always ask clients if they have their eye protection with them. Educate them that towels, sunglasses, cotton balls and their eyelids do not adequately protect their eyes from damage.

It is important to note that eyewear must fit properly to be effective. UV light must not be able to seep in around the corners of the eyewear. The elastic strap that comes with goggles is provided to ensure a tight fit. Do not let clients risk damaging their eyes to eliminate tan lines. There are types of protective eyewear that fit on each eye in order to eliminate lines from the glasses bridge or elastic strap. Never allow the use of cracked, pitted or discolored eyewear.

Another way to promote constant use of eyewear among clients is through education. Be sure to stress the importance of eyewear based on the following facts:

• Use of eyewear is the only way to protect eyes from ultraviolet light.
• Ultraviolet damage to the eyes is cumulative over time.
• The short-term health risks associated with NOT wearing protective eyewear while tanning is corneal burns. The effects are usually temporary and typically disappear within a day or so.
• The long-term risks of tanning without protective eyewear include brunescent cataracts. Brunescent cataracts are slow to develop, usually occurring over a matter of years, but the damage usually is permanent. This damage affects night vision and also alters the perception of color.

The eyes are too valuable to risk damaging. Salon operators are required by law to be responsible for each client’s eye safety—a responsibility that can and must be taken seriously.

For more information about eyewear and tanning regulations, call (800) 529-1101 or visit the National Tanning Training Institute online at www.tanningtraining.com.