In a land of countless Buddhas, the figure enshrined at the Shwemyetman Pagoda in the town of Shwedaung stands out, thanks to its pair of enormous gold­rimmed spec tacles. The first set is said to have been gifted during the Konbaung era. They were stolen shortly after, and since then the statue has had a series of replacements (thieves keep stealing them). The Shwemyetman Buddha is believed to have the power to cure ailments related to the  eyes, and the temple is a popu- lar pilgrimage destination for  Myanmar’s visually impaired.