Beware of the dangers of cheap sunglasses (2024)

It took a long time in coming, but Summer is finally here! The UK government has even issued heatwave warnings as the temperatures keep rising. Along with the sun, out has come loads of shops and street sellers selling cheap sunglasses. The prices might be tempting, but beware of the dangers…

Beware of the dangers of cheap sunglasses (1)

Cheap sunglasses are everywhere in the summer, and the designs often mimic those of well known models such as Aviators or Wayfarers. These tempting designs and low prices make cheap sunglasses very appealing, especially if you are on holiday and realize you forgot to pack your pair, or you simply fancy a new style. However, it is important to know the dangers.

The function of sunglasses is to protect your eyes. They do this by providing protection against UV rays, which can essentially give the cornea in your eyes a sunburn or, in the long run, cause cataracts and retinal and macular degeneration. Cheap sunglasses, however, do not have this protection. Instead they can actually be more harmful as they fool your eyes into thinking they are protected, making your pupils dilate more and let in even more unfiltered light, causing in turn more damage. They can also make your eyes feel tired and give you headaches - not how you want to feel on holiday!

Beware of the dangers of cheap sunglasses (2)

Many cheap sunglasses have misleading information such as ‘UV absorbing’ or ‘blocks most UV light’, but this information is unregulated and does not mean that they provide adequate protection against UV rays.

Because ultraviolet (or UV) light is invisible, it is impossible for the naked eye to tell how much protection cheap sunglasses actually give you. The colour of the lenses is also not a reliable indication, and it is easy to get distracted by the vast choices often on display.

Beware of the dangers of cheap sunglasses (3)

Buying reliable sunglasses, with genuine UV protection does not have to cost the earth. They are sold in most pharmacys, and shops with named brands, at reasonable prices. Plus a good pair of sunglasses is a valuable investment, they can last for years and retro and vintage styles keep coming back into fashion! A pair that are comfortable with good UV protection is the main thing – remember, buying cheap sunglasses might cause you more damage than you realise.

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Beware of the dangers of cheap sunglasses (2024)

FAQs

Beware of the dangers of cheap sunglasses? ›

Exposure to certain wavelengths of light can damage several parts of your eye and lead to long-term problems. In fact, wearing cheap sunglasses that do not have good light filters can cause worse damage to your eyes over time.

Is it safe to wear cheap sunglasses? ›

Cheap sunglasses, however, do not have this protection. Instead they can actually be more harmful as they fool your eyes into thinking they are protected, making your pupils dilate more and let in even more unfiltered light, causing in turn more damage.

Are fake sunglasses harmful? ›

Fake sunglasses pose a very immediate danger. While quality, branded sunglasses meet strict safety standards, fakes don't, and because of this, they do not block UV light from reaching our eyes. They can allow more UV light into the back of the eyes than exposure to the naked eye.

Is it bad to wear cheap glasses? ›

Cheap reading glasses can cause eyestrain — or worse.

Also, cheap reading glasses often provide no protection from high-energy blue light emitted from computer screens and other digital devices.

Are cheap sunglasses just as good? ›

When you buy a pair of cheap sunglasses, you often give up all of these benefits and can even make things worse. For example, if your sunglasses offer no UV protection, you increase your exposure to UV rays. The cheap sunglasses block some of the light, causing your iris to open to allow more light in.

Are dollar tree sunglasses safe? ›

Bottom line: It's safe to wear dollar store sunglasses as long as they carry a UVA/UVB protection label, but more expensive sunglasses can offer better optics and other features including more fashion choices that some buyers are looking for.

Which sunglasses should I avoid? ›

3 Types of Sunglasses to Avoid
  • Designer and/or tinted shades that don't offer the right level of eye protection. There's a misconception that the more expensive the glasses, the higher the protection they offer. ...
  • Slim or cat-eye sunglasses. ...
  • Scratched sunglasses.
Aug 20, 2021

Is it worth it to spend a lot of money on sunglasses? ›

They can completely block all harmful UVA and UVB rays. This alone can make every penny spent worth it. As long as you get your eyes protected from all risks, we're talking sun exposure like cataracts, macular degeneration and corneal sunburn, you're investing money in the right place.

Do all sunglasses have 100% UV protection? ›

The label is your first place to look, and it will list how much of each type of protection they offer. Look for uv400 on lenses. If they have that, then they have some level of protection against UVA and UVB rays If there isn't any uv400 labeled anywhere on them, however, it means that they aren't protected at all.

Do expensive glasses make a difference? ›

Cheaper lenses will give you the clarity of vision you require, but more expensive ones will give you a more distinctive pair of glasses, with personalized features. Customized features like lens color, anti-reflective coating, scratch-resistant, polarized, photochromic, etc.

Are dollar store reading glasses bad for your eyes? ›

They won't damage your vision, per se. However, there are many factors that affect how well cheap reading glasses will work for you. You need to understand that the quality of a $1 pair of reading glasses won't be great. The lenses will be basic and easy to scratch.

Who makes the highest quality eyeglass lenses? ›

Essilor is the world leader in eyeglass lenses. Essilor created the first and finest progressive lenses (Varilux lenses, Varilux Definity®, Varilux Comfort®, Varilux Physio®, Varilux Ellipse®), the finest lens coating (Crizal), and the finest single vision lenses on the market today (Orma, Thin&Lite, and Airwear).

Do expensive sunglasses protect better? ›

UV-blocking and shatter-resistance ratings are usually impressive with higher-end offerings, so you're treating your eyes better. And because superior hardware is used on expensive models, they last longer than the convenience-store options.

How much should a decent pair of sunglasses cost? ›

A good pair of sunglasses should cost you less than $100.

Is it okay to buy fake sunglasses? ›

Fake, low quality sunglasses might be made using materials that are potentially harmful and as they are not tested for safety, there is no way of knowing what your are buying. Also consider that fakes often made in factories that do not respect their worker's rights, health and safety.

What is the biggest problem with cheap sunglasses? ›

Exposure to certain wavelengths of light can damage several parts of your eye and lead to long-term problems. In fact, wearing cheap sunglasses that do not have good light filters can cause worse damage to your eyes over time.

Do all sunglasses have BpA? ›

Glasses and sunglasses may display the Prop 65 warning because of Bisphenol-A (BpA) found in polycarbonate lenses or nickel which may be contained in metallic frames. Bisphenol-A (BpA) is a starting material in the manufacture of polycarbonate, so there are trace amounts of BpA found in those lenses.

How can you tell if sunglasses are high quality? ›

Let's examine them.
  1. Check The Label For UV Protection. The finest sunglasses for protecting your eyes will come from reliable brands. ...
  2. Use A UV Flashlight To Examine Your Sunglasses. ...
  3. Verify The Use-By Date. ...
  4. Pay Attention To Dark Sunglasses. ...
  5. Understanding Polarization. ...
  6. Consult An Optometrist. ...
  7. Examine The Lens's Quality.

Why are pilots not allowed to wear polarized sunglasses? ›

Polarized lenses may also interfere with visibility through an aircraft windscreen by enhancing striations in laminated materials and mask the sparkle of light that reflects off shiny surfaces such as another aircraft's wing or windscreen, which can reduce the time a pilot has to react in a “see-and-avoid” traffic ...

Why do pilots wear Ray Bans? ›

In addition to reducing the impacts of unforgiving sunlight, sunglasses also decrease eye fatigue and provide protection for the ocular tissues from exposure to harmful solar radiation. Additionally, they protect the pilot's eyes from impact with objects, such as flying debris.

Which is better, UV or polarized sunglasses? ›

UV protection is more important in terms of the health of your eyes, so if you can't have both, it is generally recommended to opt for UV protection and make sure you wear them whenever you are outside, even on cloudy days.

Do good sunglasses have to be expensive? ›

High-quality lenses, often found in more expensive sunglasses, tend to provide better protection against harmful UV rays. While cheaper sunglasses may claim to offer "100% UV protection", it's important to remember that not all lenses are created equal.

Is it bad to wear sunglasses without UV protection? ›

Eyes adapt to ambient light, and pupils dilate when light is dim or you're wearing dark sunglasses. That creates a bigger area for UV to access the eye. If the lenses are simply colored and do not block UV, you're opened up to eye damage.

Are supermarket sunglasses good? ›

Sunglasses protect eyelid,cornea,lens and retina from Ultraviolet (UV) light,Cheap sunglasses do the same work as the expensive brand names,but are not enough helpful about UVA and UVB protection.

Does UV protection wear off sunglasses? ›

Studies show that sunglasses lose UV protection over time. This happens when the protective UV layers and the tint on the lenses start to fade. Most people are not aware of this fact and only stop using their sunglasses when they get loose or fall apart.

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