Educating Customers About Eyewear

We’ve discussed some 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.

The following 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.

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 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 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.