I was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes five years ago, and I've had to make considerable changes to my lifestyle to maintain my health since I was diagnosed. I started this blog to share my experience of coming to terms with having type 2 diabetes and what I've learned on my personal journey. I share details of the lifestyle changes I've made, including giving up smoking and eating more wholefoods, and my personal experience of using alternative treatments, such as acupuncture and herbal medicine. I also post about new treatments that are becoming available for type 2 diabetes. I hope you find my blog useful and informative.
When it comes to vision impairment, most people tend to think of genetic problems such as short sightedness or astigmatism. Although these are the most common issues people experience with their eyesight, take note that some of your lifestyle habits could actually be detrimental to the health of your eyes. One such practice is indoor tanning.
Tanning beds may be a convenient way to retain a sun-kissed complexion, but it is recommended to limit your use of them as they could increase your risk of skin cancer. However, did you know that constant exposure to these tanning beds could also steadily impair your vision too? Read on to find out how tanning beds can have an adverse effect on your eyesight.
What makes tanning beds a health risk?
The main thing to note about tanning beds is that you should never lie on one without proper protection for your eyes. Nevertheless, some people assume that as long as their eyes are closed during the tanning process, then they will not be damaging their eyesight. In reality, the ultraviolet rays can still reach your eyes when your lids are closed. Your eyelids are made of a fragile layer of skin that is easily penetrated by the ultraviolet radiation. Therefore, as long as you are not wearing specially designed UV-protection glasses, your eyes will be exposed to these rays, and it can lead to a host of vision problems.
What are the short-term effects of UV exposure?
Some people might have the misconception that as long as they tan for only a short period, then their vision will remain intact. The fact of the matter is even direct exposure to ultraviolet radiation for the short term will pose a severe risk to your eyesight. You may not be in the tanning bed for hours on end, but without adequate eye protection, you substantially increase your chances of photokeratitis, which manifests as sunburn on your eyelids. In addition to this, you may also develop blurred vision and enhanced light sensitivity.
What are the long-term effects of UV exposure?
Individuals that do not restrict the time they spend on a tanning bed without eye protection will steadily begin to develop an adverse reaction for the long term. One of the biggest risks of long-term exposure to UV radiation is the onset of cataracts, which occur when protein clusters begin to form in your eye lens. Another danger of long-term exposure is steady macular degeneration, which can result in complete vision loss.
For more information, contact a local optometrist.
Share