Fake Sunglasses: Are They Really That Bad?

Hayley Brunsden
Jul 25
3 min read

"It's just like a fake handbag, right?"

Wrong.

This heatwave (and everyone's Instagram photos in the pub garden wearing their "designer" sunglasses) got me thinking...

We all know fake designer handbags aren't the real thing.

But fake sunglasses?

That's a completely different story.

Because unlike a handbag, fake sunglasses aren't just about appearances.

They can actually be worse for your eyes than wearing no sunglasses at all.

People wearing fashionable oversized sunglasses while enjoying wine in a sunny garden terrace.

How can fake sunglasses be worse than no sunglasses?

It sounds backwards, doesn't it?

Surely some protection is better than none?

Unfortunately, not.

When you wear dark sunglasses, your pupils naturally dilate because your brain thinks it's in a darker environment.

If those lenses don't adequately block ultraviolet (UV) light, you've effectively opened the door wider, allowing even more harmful UV radiation to enter your eye than if you weren't wearing sunglasses at all.

The lenses may feel dark.

They may look expensive.

But if they aren't blocking UV properly, they're giving you a false sense of security.

Comparison showing how dark sunglasses without UV protection allow more ultraviolet light into dilated pupils than no sunglasses.

Why does UV matter?

Just like your skin, your eyes can be damaged by prolonged exposure to ultraviolet light.

Over time, excessive UV exposure has been linked with:

Cataracts – where the natural lens of the eye becomes cloudy.
Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) – damage to the central part of the retina, affecting detailed vision.
Photokeratitis – essentially sunburn of the front surface of the eye, which can be extremely painful and cause temporary loss of vision.

Unlike sunburn on your skin, you can't always see the damage building up.

It's cumulative.

Which is why protecting your eyes every day matters.

How do you know if your sunglasses are safe?

The good news is that most sunglasses bought from reputable retailers offer excellent UV protection.

In the UK, sunglasses should comply with recognised safety standards and clearly state their level of UV protection.

Look for lenses labelled UV400, which block virtually 100% of harmful UVA and UVB rays. This is considered the gold standard for UV protection.

It's also worth remembering that the darkness of a lens has nothing to do with how much UV it blocks.

A clear lens can provide excellent UV protection.

A very dark lens can provide almost none.

Infographic explaining how UV protection helps reduce the risk of cataracts, macular degeneration, photokeratitis and other UV-related eye conditions.

What about cheap sunglasses?

Price isn't actually the issue.

You don't necessarily need to spend hundreds of pounds to protect your eyes.

Many affordable sunglasses offer excellent UV400 protection.

The concern is counterfeit or fake products, where there is no guarantee that the lenses have been tested or manufactured to any recognised safety standard.

If you don't know where they've come from, it's impossible to know what's protecting your eyes.

If you're unsure, just ask.

If you've bought sunglasses online, on holiday, from a market, or you've inherited an old pair, and you're not sure whether they're providing proper UV protection, ask your optometrist.

Most practices can quickly check whether your lenses are blocking UV effectively.

It takes just a few moments, but could protect your eyes for years to come.

Hayley Brunsden helping a client choose sunglasses at CBTR Opticians in Beaconsfield.

The bottom line

A fake handbag might fool your friends.

Fake sunglasses won't fool your eyes.

When it comes to protecting your vision, buy from a retailer you trust, look for UV400 protection, and if you're ever unsure, ask your optometrist.

Because sunglasses shouldn't just make you look good.

They should protect one of your most precious senses.