What is one of the potential long-term effects of tanning?

Cataracts represent a significant potential long-term effect of tanning, particularly due to exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation. When UV rays penetrate the eye, they can cause damage to the lens over time, leading to the development of cataracts. This condition involves the clouding of the lens, which can result in blurred vision and may require surgical intervention to restore clarity.

While glaucoma, astigmatism, and hypermetropia are all vision-related issues, they do not have a direct and established link to UV exposure from tanning. Glaucoma is typically associated with intraocular pressure and optic nerve damage, astigmatism involves the curvature of the cornea, and hypermetropia (farsightedness) is related to the shape of the eye rather than UV exposure. Therefore, cataracts are recognized as a significant risk associated with excess UV exposure from tanning practices.