Why avoid cheap eyeglasses

Have you ever been tempted to buy cheap sunglasses at a kiosk... or cheap reading glasses at a pharmacy? After all, why pay hundreds of euros for prescription glasses when cheap glasses look just fine, right? We all want to avoid spending our hard-earned money, but as with everything, what looks like a bargain is often too good to be true. The same applies when buying eyeglasses: it may seem you are saving money up front, but the product often does not live up to your expectations. And when it comes to eyewear, some cheap glasses can actually cause damage to your eyes without you even realising it.

Cheap glasses — be careful!

Buying eyeglasses requires some care to understand the factors that affect the quality and value of eyeglasses. Here are the things you should know if you are thinking of buying cheap eyeglasses or sunglasses:

Cheap sunglasses do more harm than good

Cheap sunglasses sometimes look almost identical to high-quality ones. They can even provide similar performance in bright sunlight. But they can also do more harm than good.

The level of protection sunglasses give your eyes against the sun's harmful ultraviolet rays (UV) has nothing to do with the colour or darkness of the lenses. And it is impossible to feel how well your eyes are protected from these damaging rays while you wear your sunglasses.

So two different pairs of sunglasses may look the same, yet one offers far better eye protection than the other.

Cheap sunglasses — even those labelled "polarized" and "100% UV protection" — often let harmful violet ("UV") and blue light reach the eye and potentially cause damage over time.
A professional optician can explain which sunglass lens brands offer the best protection from harmful rays and the preferred visible-light transmission for your outdoor activities and vision needs.

Cheap reading glasses can cause vision problems — or worse

Cheap reading glasses sold at kiosks or pharmacies can help you see more clearly up close if you are over 40 and experiencing the normal age-related loss of focus called presbyopia. But it is easy to pick the wrong power, and the optical quality of cheap readers is usually not as good as a custom pair for reading and computer use.
Cheap reading glasses also never provide protection from the high-energy blue light emitted by computer screens and other digital devices.

Cheap frames can cause skin irritation — or worse

At first glance, a cheap eyeglass frame may look like the more expensive ones. But often they are made from low-quality materials that can cause skin irritation over time.
Cheap acrylic plastic frames fade quickly under UV rays and the finish can turn rough after a few months of wear. Cheap metal frames often contain nickel alloys that can cause skin irritation and dermatitis. Others may discolour your skin.

Even more concerning, cheap frames and cheap sunglasses are occasionally recalled and removed from the market because they contain heavy-metal dyes such as lead or other toxic substances.

Tips for buying eyeglasses wisely

What can you do if you or your family need glasses and want the best possible quality for your money?
Here are some tips to help your budget while getting all the benefits of high-quality eyeglasses and sunglasses.

Find the offers

Many optical stores offer discounts on eyeglasses and high-quality eyeglass lenses, such as anti-reflective coatings, photochromic lenses and progressive glasses. You can also find branded eyeglass frames and get the lenses with your prescription power for free.

Branded eyeglass frames

At Eye-Shop you will find the widest variety of branded and affordable eyeglass frames suitable for myopia. With every frame purchase we offer you the prescription lenses with your power completely FREE.

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