Experts warn against using cheap sunglasses, saying they may cause eye damage

Students continue to wear sub-standard sunglasses despite warnings

ISLAMABAD: Amidst the scorching heat in the summers over the past few years, the trend of fashionable and glamorous sun-glasses has soared up. However, according to eye specialists, cheap brand glasses can cause damage to the eyes.

A huge proportion of population particularly students use sunglasses to create a fashion statement as well as to protect their eyes from harmful sun rays.

New designs of sunglasses are being introduced everyday while replicas of famous brands are easily available in markets across the federal capital in rates as low as Rs200 which are not heavy on pockets of students as well as of low-income groups.

But what people do not realize is that cheap sunglasses may be a fashion statement but they were more likely to cause harm to eyes.

Eye specialist Dr Syed Tanvir, said that eyes were the most important organ after heart and brain. He warned people against using sub-standard sun glasses just to save some money as it could prove harmful for their eyes.

He said that cheap sunglasses used a plastic lens which got hot in sunlight and made eyes water during when the weather became excessively hot.

“Using sub-standard sunglasses increases chances of becoming blind by 70%,” Dr Tanvir said.

He added that eyeglasses and sunglasses were different from each other.

Some students including Osama talked to The Express Tribune in this regard and said they were strictly advised by their parents to use sunglasses while going outdoors to protect their eyes from dust and sunlight. “It protects our eyes as well as it is a fashion statement,” Osama said.

They said that they purchased fashionable sunglasses from roadside stalls as well as from shops. They said the sunglasses typically last for 1-2 months. Due to their cheap rates, the users do not also bother if they become unfit. “We don’t feel bad if even they break or get lost since they don’t cost too much,” they said.

“I have spectacles ranging from as low as Rs30 to Rs1,000,” said Bangash, who has a stall in Jinnah Super market.

However, he said most of his customers purchased sunglasses ranging between Rs100-200. He said that people preferred to purchase expensive sunglasses from glassed shops rather than him.

“Most students have a high demand for sunglasses with coloured lenses, whereas the elderly usually prefer glasses with transparent lenses,” Bangash said.

He said that he purchased a stock from old Sabzi Mandi because of the vast variety and good rates.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 18^th, 2019.