U2 singer Bono says his sunglasses are due to glaucoma, not rock-star attitude

U2 singer Bono says his ever-present sunglasses aren't a rock-star affectation — he has suffered from glaucoma for 20 years.

The condition — a buildup of pressure that can damage the optic nerve — can make the eyes sensitive to light.

Many had assumed his ever-present sunglasses - even indoors - were a rock star affectation, but he explained during a recording of the Graham Norton Show for BBC One that they are to help with his vision problem.

Bono also told the BBC's "Graham Norton Show" that "I have good treatments and I am going to be fine."

He said people would now think of him as "poor old blind Bono."

He also acknowledged that some people had been annoyed when U2's new album, "Songs of Innocence," was sent unsolicited to millions of people with iTunes accounts.

In comments released Friday by the BBC, Bono said, "We wanted to do something fresh, but it seems some people don't believe in Father Christmas."