Polarized sunglasses are the most popular among people who enjoy fishing and all kinds of water sports.
These special glasses are great for water activities because they can efficiently reduce reflected glare from the water.
While boaters and water-sports lovers are the biggest users of polarized sunglasses, other people who spend time outdoors and understand the benefits of these special sunglasses are using them too.
There are still people who are not so familiar with polarized lenses but are using them nevertheless.
If you are considering buying polarized sunglasses, you should know the basic things about them and that is exactly what this article is all about.
What are Polarized Sunglasses?
Simply put, polarized sunglasses are specialized eyewear designed to reduce glare from surfaces such as water, snow, and glass.
The ability to reduce glare is the singular defining characteristic that makes polarized lenses special.
Glare distorts the true colour and nature of some objects, making them difficult to distinguish.
They generally create problems for people in certain situations.
By reducing glare, polarized sunglasses improve vision.
In some circumstances, they are necessary for optimum safety and performance.
How do Polarized Lenses Work?
To have a clear idea of how polarized lenses work, you need to appreciate the way light travels and the effect on vision.
Sunlight is normally absorbed or reflected in several different directions.
Light that is reflected from flat surfaces like water, land or the hood of a car, however, tends to travel in a more uniform direction (usually horizontal).
Such horizontally reflected light is usually more intense than scattered light and results in an uncomfortable glare.
In addition to the visual discomfort that results from this, potentially blinding glare can create a very dangerous situation, especially for drivers.
To take care of glare and improve visual comfort, polarized lenses make use of a special laminated filter.
This filter contains vertical stripes that help to break down glare like a Venetian blind.
The filter allows only vertically oriented light, blocking the intense horizontally oriented light and significantly reducing glare in the process.
While normal sunglasses will absorb all light wavelength equally, polarized sunglasses will selectively eliminate the wavelengths of light that cause glare.
This results in a clearer, safer vision and more comfortable eyes.
Benefits of Polarized Sunglasses?
- They reduce reflection and eliminate glare
- They allow for true perception of colour in certain situations
- They improve contrast and visual clarity
- They reduce eye strain
- They improve visual comfort
Who Needs Polarized Lenses?
Polarized lenses are no longer seen as only necessary for water activities.
Almost anyone that spends time outdoors and engages in some sort of outdoor activities may need polarized lenses.
Most activities we engage in require the elimination of glare for optimum safety and improved performance.
From skiers to bikers, joggers and golfers, anyone that needs improved vision for performance will benefit from wearing polarized sunglasses.
Polarized sunglasses have also become very popular among drivers.
Reflections from the hood of a car or the road surface can always cause glare and impair the vision of the driver to some extent.
With polarized sunglasses, the glare can be significantly reduced, allowing the driver to see clearly.
Some well-known drive-wear brands use only polarized lenses for their high tech range of driving glasses, helping race car drivers drive better and safer.
Light-sensitive people can also benefit from wearing polarized lenses.
Post-cataract surgery patients, for instance, are advised to wear polarized sunglasses.
Even individuals that are continually exposed to bright lights through windows may also benefit from wearing sunglasses indoors.
Are Polarized Sunglasses Ideal for Everyday Use?
The simple answer to this question is yes, polarized sunglasses are ideal for everyday use.
Some of the most popular polarized sunglasses you will find are fashionable pieces from some of the best brands in the world.
Ray-Ban, for instance, have several sunglasses with polarized lenses.
These polarized fashionable sunglasses are perfect for enhancing your vision as you go about your everyday activities.
Things to Know About Polarized Sunglasses
There are several other important things about polarized sunglasses that we cannot discuss in details.
We will highlight the most important ones here so that you will be properly guided when shopping for sunglasses.
Polarized Does not Necessarily Mean UV Protection
Polarization is not the same thing as UV protection.
While most quality polarized sunglasses are equipped with UV protection, polarization alone does not protect your eyes from harmful UV rays.
When shopping for polarized sunglasses, confirm that the one you intend to buy actually offers 100% UV protection in addition to having polarized lenses, as the two characteristics are unrelated
Polarized Lenses are of Different Types
Though there is no difference in the quality of protection they offer, polarized lenses are basically of two types: 0.75 mm lenses and 1.1mm lenses.
The difference in thickness has more to do with durability than performance.
The thinner lenses are ideal for the fashionable polarized sunglasses while the thicker lenses are most ideal for sporting eyewear.
Though they generally offer lots of advantages, polarized sunglasses may not be the best choice for most people.
Some people complain that the lenses make them feel dizzy or disoriented.
Some people also complain that polarized sunglasses create artificial 3-D effect for them.
Polarized sunglasses may reduce the visibility of images produced by LCDs or LEDs.
This means you may not be able to clearly see the display on some GPS screens, smartphones, tablets, car dashboards, and other digital screens.
There are rare cases of boaters and pilots complaining that they are unable to clearly view LCDs on instrument panels.
These issues may be caused by different factors but top quality polarized sunglasses are often great.
Polarized sunglasses are not just for water-sports or driving.
They have become popular due among everyday users due to the benefits they offer.
Top-quality polarized sunglasses will let you show your fashion sense and personality without any compromise to health and safety.
They are available in a variety of styles and most offer 100% UV protection too.
When you buy polarized sunglasses from top brands, you will enjoy the times you spend outdoors better.
If you have any further questions, contact us and we would be pleased to help you.