Is it sufficient to just close your eyes for enough eye protection while tanning?

Simply closing your eyes during tanning is not adequate for proper eye protection. While it may seem like a basic way to shield the eyes from UV light, it does not provide the necessary level of protection required to safeguard the sensitive structures of the eye. The eyelids alone cannot block all UV radiation; hence, additional protective measures are essential.

Using specially designed goggles or eye protection is critical when tanning, whether in a UV tanning bed or outdoors. These goggles filter out harmful UV rays and are specifically formulated to protect the eyes from both immediate damage and long-term risks, such as cataracts or other vision problems.

It's also important to use eye protection regardless of whether the tanning is taking place indoors or outdoors, as UV radiation can penetrate through some clouds and reflect off surfaces even when tanning indoors. Therefore, proper eye protection is a necessary standard for anyone engaging in tanning practices.