While the use of sunglasses increases with the arrival of summer months, experts warn against fake and poor quality sunglasses. Yeditepe University Hospitals Ophthalmology Specialist Assoc.Prof. Dr. Özge Yabaş KIZILOĞLU explained the issues that should be considered when buying sunglasses.

How to Recognize Original Sunglasses?

The glasses must be manufactured according to certain standards. It must be certified and have signs such as CE certificate showing that it has safety and quality standards. The blockage of ultraviolet (UV) rays is the most important factor in choosing glasses. There must be a ‘UV 400’ label showing that it blocks 100 percent of the rays.

Our ophthalmologist emphasized that fake sunglasses do not protect from rays and are only colored glass, and noted the following:
"UV rays have negative effects on the eye both in the short term and in the long term. For example, in the long term, it can cause cataracts in our eye lens. UVA rays can reach the retina. These can cause damage to the A layer of the eye, the retina layer that perceives light, and have a cumulative harmful effect. In the short term, since the glass quality is low, we will see blurred as soon as we wear them. There may be insufficient contrast, distortions in the image, optical distortions, reflections. After a while, these can have negative effects such as headaches, eye fatigue and even psychological stress."
Explaining that wearing sunglasses is important, but fake glasses cause extra damage to the eye, Dr. KIZILOĞLU said, "Since poor quality glass is used, eye fatigue will be felt at the very beginning because it will be blurred. After a while after wearing them, headache and nausea may occur. Since it will not provide any protection, the quality of life will decrease."

Fake Sunglasses Can Cause Cataracts and Retinal Damage

Stating that the use of fake glasses, especially in children, can negatively affect their visual development because they are in the developmental age, "It can cause problems such as attention deficit. We especially need to pay attention to this. We should let them use glasses from reliable optical stores and with the necessary certificates."

Stating that high-energy UV rays are divided into three as UVA, UVB and UVC, our expert continued as follows:
"UVC rays are already blocked by the ozone layer, they do not reach the world. It is UVB and UVA that harm us. These should be filtered 100 percent by sunglasses. Because it can cause tumors and cancers around and on the surface of the eye. It can cause cataracts and retinal damage. We need to choose glasses that block UVA, UVB 100 percent and document this with UV400 or CE."

Dr. KIZILOĞLU stated that polarized glass filters reflections and provides better vision, especially in long-distance drivers or fishermen because it filters the rays reflected from the sea.

How to Recognize Fake Sunglasses?

Explaining that there are some methods to understand that the glasses are fake, Dr. KIZILOĞLU said, "It can be understood from the frame quality. Slightly fragile glasses have a high chance of being fake glasses. Apart from that, if there is a difference in color tone between the two glasses, if it looks blurry when you put the glasses on your eyes and try them on, if they look reflective, these are actually signs, but the most important thing is the certificate, otherwise it cannot be understood for sure."

Dr. KIZILOĞLU stated that the color of the lens is not related to UV protection and that various colors can be preferred depending on where the sunglasses will be used, "We recommend gray, green or brown for those who drive. It allows us to see without distortion and color change in traffic lights. For skiers, amber color, which filters blue light well, can be preferred."
Stating that the dark color of the eyeglass lens, such as black, does not show that it protects from UV, Dr. KIZILOĞLU added that if a fake dark sunglasses are worn, the dark color may cause the pupils to dilate and thus harmful rays will come to the eye more.