Sunglasses are a staple everyday, practical accessory, blending together the benefits of fashion with functional sun protection.
Polarized sunglasses go a step further.
Their specialized lens coating filters horizontal light waves (responsible for glare) protecting us from the sun’s harmful UV rays with the added benefits of reduced glare and eyestrain, offering additional comfort.
Polarized sunglasses are becoming increasingly popular, especially among those who enjoy the outdoors. They offer improved visual clarity during activities like hiking, fishing, or even lazy beach days!
All About Polarized Sunglasses
Polarized eyeglass lenses have a special chemical coating that filters light, helping to reduce light glare.
We may not realize it, but we see and feel better when light glare is reduced. Straining your eyes to combat glare can lead to unnecessary fatigue and headaches, making polarized sunglasses a comfortable solution for long days outdoors.
Anyone can benefit from polarized sunglasses, but they’re ideal eyewear for active people or those who enjoy the comfort of the outdoors.
- Fishing and boating: See clearly beneath the water’s surface without the sun’s blinding reflection.
- Hiking: Reduce eyestrain on sun-soaked hiking trails or while navigating rocky outcrops.
- Driving: Combat intense windshield glare during sunny days or long road trips.
- Beach days: Enjoy better visibility while lounging by the ocean while keeping your eyes protected from sun damage.
- Snow sports: Navigate slopes with confidence, even on the brightest days.
Polarized glasses are a great tool for most activities, but the specialized lens coating can sometimes make it harder to see digital screens, making them not so suitable for flying an airplane or reading LCD screens.
How do Polarized Sunglasses Work?
To put it simply, light waves travel in all directions.
When sunlight reflects off flat, horizontal surfaces, such as water, pavement, sand, snow, or the roof of your car, light waves vibrate horizontally, a process known as polarization.
Horizontal light waves travel in one, instead of multiple, directions. This concentrates light, hitting the eye directly, and creating glare.
The chemical coating on polarized lenses reduces flare by blocking horizontal light waves while allowing vertical light waves to pass through, improving visual clarity.
On the other hand, non-polarized sunglasses simply darken the scene but don’t tackle the harshness of glare. They provide standard eye protection from sunlight and UV rays but don’t offer the same level of visual clarity in high-glare conditions.
The choice between polarized and non-polarized sunglasses boils down to lifestyle, practicality, and personal preference.
However, polarized sunglasses with UV protection include the benefits of reduced glare and eyestrain, in addition to sun protection, whereas standard sunglasses don’t.
Benefits of Polarized Sunglasses
When you invest in a pair of polarized sunglasses, here are some of the benefits you can enjoy:
- Reduced glare: An obvious but most impactful benefit, polarized lenses minimize the intense brightness that can obstruct your vision as you enjoy your favorite outdoor activity.
- Improved visual clarity: Colors look richer, details pop, and your overall view feels sharper and more defined when wearing polarized sunglasses. You’ll see the world with a level of detail you don’t necessarily get with non-polarized sunglasses.
- Reduced eyestrain: Squinting against harsh light all day causes eyestrain, meaning your eyes work harder while they try to interpret visual information. This leads to eye fatigue and discomfort. Polarized lenses ease the workload on your eyes, allowing you to comfortably enjoy your day.
- Better contrast: Polarized lenses improve contrast, making it easier to distinguish shapes, objects, and textures in both natural and urban environments.
Polarized Lenses & Sun Protection
We often talk about sunscreen for our skin, but our eyes also require sun protection from harmful UV rays.
UVA rays penetrate deep into the eyes, potentially harming the retina, while UVB rays mainly affect the corneal surface, leading to painful inflammation or dryness.
Over time, UV rays from the sun can damage delicate eye tissues, increasing the risk of developing eye conditions such as:
- Cataracts
- Macular degeneration
- Photokeratitis (sunburn on your eyes)
Protecting our eyes from the sun is essential for everyone, especially if you spend extended hours outdoors.
Wearing polarized lenses may feel like you’re protected from the sun, but they’re not inherently equipped to block UV rays. Instead, choose polarized sunglasses equipped with 100% UVA and UVB protection.
Thankfully, most reputable brands that offer polarized lenses also include this feature.
Keep in mind that while polarization and UV protection are two separate features, having both in one pair of sunglasses gives you the ultimate combination of comfort and safety!
Experience Enhanced Visibility
Polarized sunglasses are a great outdoor tool, helpful for everyday driving or outdoor exploration.
These specialized lenses help create a more vivid environment while reducing eyestrain and glare, allowing you to enjoy long hikes or lazy beach days without the discomfort of glare or the risk of UV exposure.
Connect with our team at Total Vision Riverside Optometry to browse our selection of frames. Consider trying on a pair of polarized sunglasses to experience the benefits of improved visual clarity firsthand!
