Educating Customers About Eyewear

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, as well as increased lacrimation in severe cases. If the conjunctiva is involved, tarsal follicles may be observed along with bulbar injection and chemosis. 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.

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 clients need to preserve their own personal health.

However, just because some tanners may have their own pair of goggles, they still 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.

This is one obvious benefit of disposable eyewear—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.

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.