Forget sunglasses! People all over China are clearly choosing function over form with full-face visors that make wearers look like something out of a Star Wars movie. These seemingly Darth Vader-inspired masks could be an effective method of ultraviolet (UV) protection.

Although initial concerns regarding this fashion faux pas included obscured vision and fogging while performing daily tasks, men and women have been seen all over China sporting the over-the-face sun visor, the Daily Mail reported. Some people have even been spotted wearing it at indoor shopping centers.

Could these oversized sunglasses actually be an effective way to keep the sun out of your eyes?

According to the American Optometric Association (AOA), UV radiation produced by the sun can have an equally negative effect on your eyes as your skin. Relative exposure to the sun’s three types of UV rays — UV-A, UV-B, and UV-C — can lead to photokeratitis. Also referred to as “sunburn of the eye,” photokeratitis can lead to red eyes, sensitivity to light, and excessive tearing.

Exposure to UV radiation over time can lead to a number of significant health concerns including damage to the retina, development of macular degeneration, and cataracts. Here are some of AOA’s helpful tips for UV protection:

  • Block out 99 to 100 percent of both UV-A and UV-B radiation.
  • Screen out 75 to 90 percent of visible light.
  • Be perfectly matched in color and free of distortion and imperfection.