Sunbed 'addict' fears blindness

http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/england/wear/8314412.stm

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A self-confessed sunbed addict fears she may go blind after prolonged tanning sessions without goggles.

Sam Laing, 23, of Sunderland, has developed growths on both eyes due to prolonged exposure to ultra-violet light. Surgery could cause sight loss.

She shunned eye protection during sessions as she did not want white marks - "panda eyes" - on her face.

The Sunbed Association said operators could not be blamed if customers chose to ignore safety warnings.

Hot climates

Miss Laing started using sunbeds in her early teens and was having sessions three times a week by the time she was 19.

About three months ago her eyes became sore and redness spread into her irises.

The customer services manager was later diagnosed with pterygium, a benign eye growth caused by ultra-violet light and more commonly found in hot climates.

Once a customer goes into a cubicle, locks the door and undresses, there is no way the operator can double-check that they have their goggles on Sunbed Association spokeswoman

Doctors have warned her that an operation to remove the growths could potentially damage her eyesight.

She said: "It was such a devastating diagnosis.

"I was shocked because although I knew using sunbeds raised the risk of contracting skin cancer, I never knew it could cause something like this."

A spokeswoman for the Sunbed Association, which represents more than one in five salons in the country, said it was essential that people wore eye protection and obeyed safety displays.

She said: "Once a customer goes into a cubicle, locks the door and undresses, there is no way the operator can double-check that they have their goggles on.

"If someone is given that information and they choose to ignore it, you cannot blame the operator or the sunbed industry."