In the News: Cheap Sunglasses are Bad for Your Health

A survey out of England recently declared that almost three-quarters of sunglasses on the market fail to meet safety standards. You may want to think twice next time before you buy a cheap pair of sunglasses off of the rack at a convenient store!

Wearing the wrong sunglasses can be unpleasant for the buyer and in some cases may be harmful. Failing to protect your eyes from the sun’s harmful rays can result in headaches and double vision. In some cases, overexposure to UV rays can case corneal problems and distorted vision.

Also, did you know that it is possible to get sunburned on your eyes? It’s true! A good pair of sunglasses can protect your eyes from painful sunburns and can also protect the skin around your eyes. Your eyelids and the skin around your eyes are one of the few places on your body that are most prone to skin cancer. A good pair of shades, with the right UV protection, is one of the best ways to keep your eyelids and skin around your eyes cancer-free.

Aside from the health risks, wearing a cheap pair of sunglasses is uncomfortable. In regards to comfort, some people are sensitive to brightness and glare. Buying a good pair of sunglasses that cuts down the brightness and glare helps the buyer to perform better and to be more comfortable.

So what can you do to make sure your sunglasses are safe?

• Beware of cheap sunglasses from convenient stores, discount stores and even from affordable fashion brands.

• Just because they’re fashionable doesn’t mean your sunglasses are safe. Sunglasses should be designed with safety AND fashion in mind. And some retail chains fail to keep eye protection in mind.

• Look for sunglasses that are labeled to tell you the level of UV protection they offer. As a rule of thumb, you should always purchase a pair of shades that offer 100 percent UV protection!

• Make sure you wear protective sunglasses any time your eyes are exposed to UV light even on cloudy days and during winter months.