Wearing counterfeit sunglasses could cost you dearly. At least that’s what the opticians who are worried about the eyes of the French, especially in the middle of a heat wave, say.
Since childhood we are reminded that it is important to wear sunglasses to protect our eyes from the sun’s rays. A catchphrase that has become commonplace. However, with the advent of pairs of glasses at very low prices and counterfeits, opticians and ophthalmologists are tearing their hair out. In effect, wearing counterfeit glasses will further damage your eyes. Just like the skin, when applying sunscreen, the eyes must be protected. Problem: our eyes are bombarded with ultraviolet rays, especially in summer, and are only protected by fashion accessories.
Indeed, having become essential to refine a look, sunglasses are no longer considered as protective tools. For just a few euros, it is possible to buy fashionable glasses, but without real protective power for your eyes. By doing this, it’s neither helping your eyes nor your wallet.
Counterfeit glasses, the risks for your eyes
There are serious risks to wearing counterfeit glasses when the sun is at its zenith. According to the British Meteorological Agency, relayed by BFM TVpoor quality glasses can lead to inflammationsa temporary or long-lasting blindnessan increased risk of developing cataract or AMD (Macular degeneration).
This is why it is important to pay attention to the sunglasses you buy. To make your life easier, the European community has set up a UV protection scale for spectacle lenses. Thus, there exists 4 categories of protection for sunglasses :
- category 0 : they do not protect against UV rays. They are purely aesthetic.
- categories 1 and 2 : they protect from average light, that is to say a sun hidden by clouds or thin clouds allowing a few rays of the sun to pass through.
- categories 3 and 4 : They are ideal in case of strong light such as when you go to the sea or to the mountains.
Good to know, if you buy counterfeit glasses with dark lenses thinking that they will be more protective, you are wrong. Lens color has no impact on UVexcept on glare, and the pupils will tend to dilate more and therefore receive more light.
It is therefore advisable to buy your sunglasses from approved opticians and to check the category, as well as the “CE” marking on the arms of your future glasses!