I remember being told this years ago and always questioned the validity of the claim. Anyone ever hear of this? Is it true?
This all seems pretty straightforward. The answer to your question is, “Yes.”
http://www.bodytan.com/tanning/
I don’t want “raccoon eyes” do I really have to where those goggles ?? YES !!! You must wear protective eyewear when tanning indoors or out. Simply closing your eyes is not enough. The skin on your eyelids is very thin and UV light can penetrate causing corneal and retinal burns, cataracts, night blindness and color blindness. Because these conditions take years to develop you don’t realize it at the time. You only have two eyes, the risk is not worth it. If you have lighter areas around your eyes try using one of the self-tanning lotions available in our salon to blend in the skin tones of your face.
Protective eyewear that meets federal guidelines is required for all tanners. Eyewear must block 99% UVA light and 99.9% UVB light with “21CFR” somewhere on the label. Sunglasses, towels, cotton balls, etc. will not give your eyes the protection they deserve.
http://www.rohcg.on.ca/mentalhealth/pharmacy/pharma1.html
According to the American Optometric Association (AOA), the effects of UV rays on the eyes can be as potentially dangerous as it is to the skin. In fact, studies show that damage caused by the sun and other sources of UV rays, such as tanning beds and video display terminals, can contribute to several eye diseases as well as retina damage, which can ultimately lead to blindness.
Although UV rays do not penetrate deeply into body tissue, they are harmful because they are known to impair surface cell structure and function and most may disrupt DNA and protein structures. Both UV A and UV B can seriously damage the retina, the delicate lining at the back of the eye that is rich in light sensitive nerve cells needed for seeing, according to the AOA.
Exposure to UV B over many years is one cause of cataracts, and can cause benign growths on the eye’s surface; cancer of the eyelids and skin around the eyes: and photokeratitis, sometimes called snow blindness, which is a temporary but painful sunburn of the eye’s surface.
UV rays, such as found in sunlight and tanning beds, in large doses cause burns to body tissues. Although most sunburns are first degree, second and even third degree burns are possible, if rare.
If your eyes are exposed to large doses of UV then you can sunburn your retinas. This can cause temporary to permanent blindness, the degree and permanency depending on the severity of the injury.
This is why tanning parlors are supposed to give you those funky goggles to put over your eyes. To protect your eyes and prevent injuries.
I don’t know if it has actually happened, but if you left the goggles off and started at the UV lights then it would seem possible to cause your eyes injuries.