Frequency of non-standard sunglasses sold by miscellaneous vendors in Tehran in 2010

Solar light has various electromagnetic radiations include Ultraviolet, Visible & infrared rays. Overexposure to solar ultraviolet radiations can lead to some dangerous disorders and usage of non standard sunglasses can increase foregoing harmful effects. In Iran cataract is the most common disorder produced by UV rays. This study aims to measure the transmission of ultraviolet (A and B) and visible rays according to standards through sunglasses provided from miscellaneous vendors. In this study, 150 sunglasses were assessed by spectral transmittance meter for evaluation of the transmission of visible and ultraviolet rays. In transmission of UV-A, 41.7% of brown & 42.4% of gray sunglasses could not pass defined standard criteria; in transmission of UV-B, 3.8 % of brown and 11% of gray sunglasses could not pass standard criteria. It should be noted that, buying sunglasses from miscellaneous vendors can be dangerous and is not recommended; standard sunglasses should be bought only from licensed shops.