When laying in a tanning bed, does keeping your eyes closed protect your eyes the same way goggles do?
by 
Spixxy
ANSWERS: 3
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The long and short is, no. Note the MIDDLE paragraph. Here is what I found at the FTC's website... "No harsh glare, so no goggles or eye shades are necessary." Studies show that too much exposure to ultraviolet rays, including UVA rays, can damage the retina. Overexposure can burn the cornea, and repeated exposure over many years can change the structure of the lens so that it begins to cloud, forming a cataract. Left untreated, cataracts can cause blindness. The Food and Drug Administration requires tanning salons to direct all customers to wear protective eye goggles. Closing your eyes, wearing ordinary sunglasses, and using cotton wads do not protect the cornea from the intensity of UV radiation in tanning devices. Long-term exposure to natural sunlight also can result in eye damage, but in the sun, people generally are more aware that their eyelids are burning. Under indoor UV lights, exposed skin remains cool to the touch. In addition, the intensity of lights used in tanning devices is much greater — and potentially more damaging to the eyes — than the intensity of UV rays in natural sunlight.
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UV light (A, B, and C) cannot penetrate a healthy eyelid. The UV light will therefore be blocked from reaching the eyeball, while the eyes are shut. Opening the eyes will allow the UV light to affect the cornea, conjunctiva, and even penetrate to the retina. Having said that, UV light can be as dangerous to the eyelid as it is to the eyeball. The eyelid is a common site for skin cancer as it is a thin membrane that is easily affected by UV light. It is certainly recommended to wear goggles to protect the eyelid as much as to protect the eyeball.
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NO! I cannot believe that your tanning salon has not informed you of this, and as to why! As a matter-of-fact, even if you can see fine during the day (after not wearing anything protective over the eyes for years in the tanning bed) you may slowly loose your night vision long before your day vision!!!
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