Chapter
11
Understanding Eye Protection
� CFR 21 1040.20 (C) (4)
� Structure and function of the eye
The importance of wearing approved eyewear while tanning can never be
stressed enough. What value can you put on something that is so vital
it is responsible for 80% of all information we receive on a daily bases.
Understanding Eye Protection
The importance of wearing protective eyewear can never be stressed enough.
Federal regulations (CFR 21 1040.20 (c) (4)) require that tanners wear
protective eyewear that block 99.9% of the UVB light and 99% of the UVA
light. In Canada, the government enforces identical requirements. It is
the operator's responsibility that the clients use compliant eyewear.
Acceptable eyewear must state the product's compliance with Federal regulations
on the package. Some states require salons provide eyewear free of charge
while others only require that clients wear approved eye protection.
The eyelid is too thin to be able to protect the eye from ultraviolet
light penetration. Too much UVB damages the cornea, while too much UVA
damages the retina. UVB has such a short wavelength that is completely
absorbed by the lens (cornea of the eye. When these rays are absorbed
by the cornea, they can cause corneal burns.
People who have had UVB overexposure to the eyes will experience swelling
of the eye tissues, redness, soreness, and a feeling as though a handful
of sand has been thrown in their eyes. Because UVA has a longer wavelength,
it penetrates the cornea and focuses on the retina, where it does considerable
damage at high dosage levels.
Color perception is the first thing to fail with overexposure to UVA.
Retinal burns caused by UVA can produce scarring in the rods and cones
of the eye which will reduce both visual acuity and sensitivity to color.
Unprotected overexposure of the eyes to UVR can also lead to brunescent
cataracts which cannot be removed by surgery.
Always ask your clients if they have their eye protection with them.
Remind them that towels, sunglasses, cotton balls, and their eyelids do
not adequately protect their eyes from damage. Eyewear must fit properly
to be effective. UV light must not be able to seep in around the corners
of the eyewear. The elastic strap that comes with goggles is provided
to insure a tight fit.
Do not let your clients risk damaging their eyes to eliminate tan lines.
There are types of protective eyewear which fit on each eye in order to
eliminate lines from the glasses bridge or elastic strap, however these
should not be used in vertical booths. Never allow the use of cracked,
pitted or discolored eyewear.
Your eyes are too valuable to risk damaging and you only get two of them
to last a lifetime. You are, by law, responsible for your clients eye
safety and you can never take that responsibility too seriously.
Structure and Function
The eye is like a camera. The cornea protects the lens and acts as a colorless
filter to refract light. The lens of the eye is flexible, changing thickness
in response to the contraction and relaxation of the ciliary muscles.
The iris corresponds to the aperture in a camera, controlling the amount
of light that enters the eye.The retina is like the film in a camera:
The images are projected onto it and thin changed into electric signals.
The visual cells of the retina include rods and cones. Rods are sensitive
to changes in light but not color, whereas cones perceive color. The optic
nerve relays signals to the visual center of the cerebrum, giving rise
to vision.
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