A warning has been issued for all UK households regarding fake designer sunglasses. Experts have cautioned that counterfeit products often lack essential UV filters, significantly increasing the risk of eye damage.
Why Fake Sunglasses Are Dangerous
Alex Day, a consultant ophthalmologist at Moorfields Eye Hospital, stated: “When you buy fake sunglasses, you are gambling with your sight. Counterfeit eyewear is uniquely dangerous because it usually features dark-tinted lenses with absolutely zero UV protection. From a medical perspective, wearing them is actually significantly worse than wearing no sunglasses at all.”
James Wolffsohn, a professor of optometry at Aston University, explained: “If you get bright light in your eyes and you’re not wearing sunglasses, you’ll naturally not only cut down your pupil size, but you’ll squint. You might tip your head a little bit so the brows are blocking the light – we have lots of natural protection to UV. But, obviously, if you’ve got sunglasses on, you’re not going to feel those effects, and your pupils will be bigger as well.”
How to Protect Your Eyes
Dr Paramdeep Bilkhu, a clinical adviser at the College of Optometrists, emphasised: “It’s not about the depth of the tint, it’s whether or not [a pair of sunglasses] carries that mark. If the UV index is three and above, that is the time to wear sun UV protection, and that is the time to wear your sunglasses. It doesn’t matter if the conditions are overcast – make sure you’re still wearing them.”
Dr Alex Silvester, SpaMedica’s Chief Medical Officer, is debunking common misconceptions about sunglasses and UV protection ahead of Cataract Awareness Month in June. He said: “Our eyes are ten times more sensitive to the sun’s invisible UV rays than skin, and prolonged exposure can cause corneal damage, increase the risk of developing conditions like cataracts and age-related macular degeneration, and lead to long term issues with eyesight. That’s why wearing the right sunglasses is one of the easiest ways to protect yourself year-round.”
He added: “Studies have shown that nearly half of all people who purchase sunglasses don’t check the UV rating before they do. This is the most important factor to check when buying new sunglasses. The claim of sunglasses being harmful stems from the fact that the tint on sunglasses causes pupils to dilate slightly to let more light in. But as long as lenses are UV protected, they will filter UV rays and cannot damage vision. Only non-UV filtered sunglasses pose any danger.”
