Beatles fans are only just realising why Ringo Starr is always seen wearing dark glasses.
Starr, who gained international fame as the drummer for the legendary band, is known for sporting dark glasses or sunglasses. However, the reason behind this is not very well-known.
A lot of fans assume the glasses are just part of Starr’s look but this isn’t the case. Charlie Brown, a user on Quora, the American social question and answer website, has shed some light.
In his answer to the question ‘Why is Ringo Starr always wearing sunglasses?’ Charlie said: “According to numerous sources over the decades that have addressed this popular fan question about the celebrated drummer of The Beatles…
“Sir Ringo is usually seen in dark glasses (or ‘sunglasses’) because his eyes have an acute sensitivity to light – and he has occasionally cited that reason himself when asked about it. I’ve never heard an official reason for that to have developed as Ringo has aged (he’s now 81), but given the serious illnesses he lived through as a child – the light sensitivity his eyes developed as he matured might be related to his childhood health challenges.”
Starr, also known as Sir Richard Starkey, was born on July 7, 1940 in Liverpool. He spent a year in the hospital with complications from a burst appendix when he was six years old, according to Brittanica.
The legendary drummer later contracted tuberculosis and was admitted to a sanatorium for two years. During his stay, Starr was introduced to the drums by a health worker who gave children musical instruments to amuse them.
Starr has always sported dark glasses or sunglasses for public or on-camera appearances and a sensitivity for light could be the reason why. In his Quora post, Charlie added: “Nothing about Ringo’s personality nor history of being a public figure and celebrity suggests that the reason is vanity. Ringo is about as humble and self-effacing as any superstar could be.”
The topic of Starr ‘always wearing sunglasses’ was further discussed on Reddit after a user posted pictures of him with the caption: “Are these the only two pics of Recent Ringo without sunglasses?” This garnered dozens of comments from fans.
One said: “Ringo’s sunglasses aren’t permanently glued to his face?!? (Yeah I haven’t seen any other pics of him recently without the sunglasses, good find OP!)”
Another asked: “What’s the deal with him always wearing sunglasses? Ok if you like how you look and he does look good but why always? Maybe they put him in ‘work mode’?”
This prompted someone to reply: “He’s said his eyes are sensitive to the light, so there is a medical reason. They do make him appear more youthful though, and I’m fairly certain he makes an effort to appear younger than he is.”
A different Reddit user chimed in: “It’s known as photophobia and while I don’t know the exact figures, I have to guess those with lighter colored eyes (like Ringo with his blue eyes) are most sensitive, thus needing glasses to help with the lights of both natural and artificial sources.” Photophobia refers to your eyes’ sensitivity to light, especially bright light, which can cause discomfort and even pain, as per the Cleveland Clinic.
The medical organisation has identified glasses or contact lenses as a possible treatment for this condition. It also notes that when treating photophobia at home, you might find it useful to wear glasses with polarisation.