The Dangers of Using Cheap Sunglasses

Medical Video: Knock-off Ray Ban Sunglasses vs. UV laser

Often relax on the beach or spend a lot of time outdoors when the sun is shining hot? Sunglasses are definitely your main weapon. But be careful, if your activities really need sunglasses as eye protection and not just style, don't take the risk of wearing cheap sunglasses. Not a matter of prestige, but more to your eye health.

The danger of UVB light to the eye

To DailyMail, senior eye examiner expert at Viewpoint Opticians in York, Chris Worsman, said that UVB rays emitted by the sun can damage the eyepiece. The eyepiece is the part of the eye that helps focus the light.

"The eyepiece is made of a lot of protein, that's why the lens looks clear," Chris said. "UVB causes the protein to break down and become tangled, so that the lens becomes cloudy. This is called a cataract and can develop after years of exposure to unprotected sunlight. "

UV exposure without good UV protection can also potentially increase the risk of skin cancer in the eyelids. Chris explained that a type of skin cancer called basal cell carcinoma usually looks like a point or pain in the eyelids, and can also occur due to sun exposure.

"Although it does not spread to other places, it can grow into the eyelids, and surgical removal of the cancer in the eyelids will leave a significant scar," continued Chris. "For the short term, sun exposure can cause photo keratitis, when intense sunlight exposure kills the outer layer of the cornea."

Why can cheap sunglasses be dangerous?

Sunglasses will block UV rays, if you choose them carefully. Light is measured in nanometers, and UVB rays are approximately 320-390 nanometers in size. If sunglasses have a CE label (European standard UV protection), they mean that the sunglasses can receive UV light no more than 5% below 380 nanometers.

"All you need to pay attention to in your sunglasses is the UV 400 mark, which means that the glasses don't receive UV light under 400 nanometers," Chris explained.

Technically, that means the glasses offer more protection than the CE label, but the difference is minimal, and UV light between 380-400 is not so damaging when compared to the lower size.

Cheap sunglasses usually don't have a lens that provides protection against sunlight, but only ordinary lenses are colored with black ink, with the darkest level 4 and the brightest one. "But the dark color of this lens is just a display and in fact does not provide UV protection," said Specsavers eye examiner expert James Goldenberg.

James said that cheap sunglasses really have risks, because they don't really protect the eyes from UV light. Quoted Time, UVA and UVB protective glasses will easily filter light. Cheap glasses do nothing to protect us, other than just for style. Black ink that covers the lens without providing protection can indeed reduce the glare, even though your eyes are still exposed to UV light. Over time, these dark lenses will actually interfere with your vision and if used for too long it usually causes dizziness because your eyes have to work extra hard.

"In addition, light exposure to UVA and UVB can increase the risk of cataracts, macular degeneration, and even the development of ocular melanoma, a type of cancer that is very rare," Dr. Wayne Bizer, ophthalmologist and spokesperson at the American Academy of Ophthalmology.

No need to be expensive, as long as it's of high quality

According to him, the sunglasses you choose don't need to be expensive. Although sunglasses worth more than Rp1 million usually have full protection, but often sunglasses that are cheaper and sold in ordinary optics can counteract ultraviolet light anyway.

Dr. Wayne recommends that we buy glasses from a good and right place, always make sure the labels and quality. "You should buy sunglasses in a good place. Maybe it's good to avoid people who sell on the streets, where those glasses often don't meet the standards, "he said.

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