Alright, let’s chat sunglasses—those essential bits of kit that make you look like a rockstar (or at least keep you from squinting).
You might be surprised to learn that quite a few Brits, particularly the chaps, don’t mind splashing out a bit.
In fact, 26% of British men drop more than £100 on sunglasses. The ladies? Well, they’re a bit more reserved, with only 14% spending that much.
Now, here’s where it gets interesting. Those spirited folks in their late twenties and early thirties are really upping the ante, coughing up about £145 for each pair.
Seems like when the sun does show its face around here, the under-35 crowd is ready to look sharp.
Thanks to some digging by Sightsavers and the support from People’s Postcode Lottery, we’ve got a clearer picture heading into this sunny weekend.
It turns out, a staggering 90% of us Brits own sunglasses, but less than half actually wear them to protect against UV damage.
And, believe it or not, nearly a third of us don’t even know what UV damage can do to our eyes, while a whopping 69% don’t realise it can lead to cataracts.
Globally, cataracts are a major issue, with 65 million people affected, and a good chunk of those could have been prevented with proper UV protection.
Despite these alarming stats, about 17% of Britons view sunglasses as an unnecessary expense. Meanwhile, another 15% don’t see the need for them at all. Makes you wonder, doesn’t it?
Here’s something to chew on: even though a solid 71% of younger adults often think about the impact of losing their sight, only 28% buy their sunglasses from an optician, averaging about £86 each. On the flip side, folks who prefer big brands don’t blink at dropping £160 or more.
Dr Imran Khan, Optometrist and Sightsavers’ Chief Technical Lead says “Sunglasses are not simply a fashion statement.
What this survey, from Sightsavers and People’s Postcode Lottery, shows is that most people are not wearing shades to protect their eyes and we want to change that.
With the backing of lottery players, Sightsavers is making strides in sub-Saharan Africa, providing critical eye health services where they’re desperately needed, especially in places like Mozambique where many cases of blindness are preventable.
So next time that big yellow ball in the sky makes an appearance, think about this: grabbing a decent pair of sunglasses might just be the smartest fashion decision you make—not just for style, but for keeping those eyes in tip-top shape.