College of Optometrists

16 August 2010 Return to news listings

It’s not just your skin that risks damage, eyes need protecting too.

With many of us keen to start off our holiday with at least a little colour on our skin, a trip to the tanning salon is now regarded by some as de rigueur in pre-holiday beach body preparation - but we could be putting our eyes at risk, warn eye professionals. In a bid to achieve the perfect all-over tan some sun bed users are forgoing vital protective eye wear during tanning sessions, leaving their eyes at risk from harmful UV damage.

Whilst it’s common knowledge that sun bed use can have a harmful effect on skin, the UV rays can also damage our eyes if not adequately protected, and the College of Optometrists is urging sun bed users to ensure they always use eye protection whilst tanning.

Dr Susan Blakeney, Optometric Advisor to the College of Optometrists, explained: “The skin on the eye lid is very thin and delicate so it’s vital to protect this area from UV rays. Whilst we do not advocate the use of sun beds, if you do use them it is important to ensure that you always use protective eye wear - as you would wear sunglasses when outside - to safeguard your eyes from UV rays.

Avoiding wearing goggles or ‘winkies’ whilst using a sun bed can lead to benign eye growths called pterygium.  Repeated exposure to UV may cause long term damage which could affect sight in later life. We only have one pair of eyes, so if you want to safeguard your sight, always ensure you wear the proper protection whether on the sun bed or in the sun.”

Tanning beds use ultraviolet lights that produce both UVA and UVB rays, which can be more powerful in their effect than the sun as the light is concentrated and directed straight at the face.

For more information about eye health visit www.lookafteryoureyes.org.

ENDS
For further information, case studies and interviews contact:
Edith Barton-Harvey or Zoe Belhomme
Tel: 020 7009 3100
Email: collegeofoptometrists@3-monkeys.co.uk
Web:  www.college-optometrists.org              

About The College of Optometrists
1. The College of Optometrists is the Professional, Scientific and Examining Body for Optometry in the UK, working for the public benefit.  Supporting its Members in all aspects of professional development, the College provides pre-registration training and assessment, continuous professional development opportunities, and advice and guidance on professional conduct and standards, enabling our Members to serve their patients well and contribute to the wellbeing of local communities.
2. Previously known as ophthalmic opticians, optometrists are trained professionals who examine eyes, test sight, give advice on visual problems, and prescribe and dispense spectacles or contact lenses. They also recommend other treatments or visual aids where appropriate. Optometrists are trained to recognise eye diseases, referring such cases as necessary, and can also use or supply various eye drugs.
3. Optometrists study at university for at least three years normally and participate in a full year of training and supervision, called the pre-registration year, before qualifying. Once qualified, they have the opportunity to develop their interests in specialist aspects of practice such as contact lenses, treating eye diseases, low vision, children’s vision and sports vision.
4. All optometrists practising in the UK must be registered with the General Optical Council, the profession’s regulatory body, and are listed in the Opticians Register. The letters FCOptom or MCOptom after an optometrist’s name means that he or she is a fellow or member of the College of Optometrists. The letters DipCLP after an optometrist’s name means that he or she has undertaken an additional post graduate qualification in contact lens practice.
5. There are currently over 11,500 registered optometrists in the UK.