A whopping 90 per cent of the Rs 1,000-crore sunglass market can actually make you blind. They are what is loosely called, fashion shades, made of cheap, non-optical quality glass, acrylic sheets or plastic, fancy enough to attract buyers.
According to some researchers it is possible that wearing poor quality sunglasses can actually lead to increased damage to the eye as the pupils dilate to allow more light to enter and in the process allow more UV light to enter.
UV radiation in sunlight is commonly divided into UV-A and UV-B, and your sunglasses should block both forms.
UV-A penetrates deep into the eye and may injure the macula, the part of the retina responsible for sight, as well as cause cataract. Exposure to UV-B causes eye conditions like skin cancer around the eye, stys and headaches.
Why sunglasses of poor quality are dangerous
* They cause headaches
* Solar Retinitis — retinal damage
* Cataract
* Macular degeneration — maculae damage, the most important part of the eye
* Photokeratitis — reversible sunburn of the cornea resulting from excessive UV-B exposure
* Skin cancer around the eye
What sunglasses should you buy
Sunglasses should be dark enough to reduce glare, but not dark enough to distort colours and affect the recognition of traffic signals. Tint is mainly a matter of personal preference. For best colour perception, buy lenses that are neutral grey, amber, brown or green.
People who wear contact lenses that offer UV protection should still wear sunglasses. Children should also wear sunglasses. They shouldn’t be toy sunglasses, but real sunglasses that indicate the UV-protection level just as with adults.
Polycarbonate lenses are generally recommended for children because they are the most shatter-resistant. Even when we talk about 100 percent UV protection, light still enters from the sides of sunglasses and can be reflected into the eye, which is why people choose sunglasses that wrap all the way around the temples.
Don’t assume that you get more UV protection with pricier sunglasses or glasses with a darker tint. Look for a label that specifically states that the glasses offer 99 per cent to 100 per cent UV protection.
