If you’ve ever found yourself squinting while driving on a sunny day or struggling to see clearly by the water, polarized lenses could be the solution you didn’t know you needed. They enhance visual clarity, protect your eyes, and make outdoor activities more enjoyable. Let’s explore the science behind polarized lenses and expand on the many benefits they offer.
What do polarized lenses do?
To appreciate how polarized sunglass lenses work, it’s essential to understand the nature of light. Light waves travel in various directions, but when they reflect off flat surfaces like roads, water, or snow, they become horizontally polarized. This causes glare, which can be blinding and uncomfortable, reducing visibility and making it difficult to see clearly.
Polarized sunglasses combat this problem, as they contain a special filter that blocks horizontally polarized light, effectively eliminating glare. By filtering out this harsh light, polarized lenses allow only vertical light to pass through, resulting in clearer and more comfortable vision. This simple yet effective technology enhances your visual experience, especially in bright conditions.
The benefits of polarized lenses
Polarized lenses offer several significant benefits, making them a valuable addition to your eyewear collection:
Reduced glare: Their primary function is to reduce glare from reflective surfaces. This makes them particularly useful for outdoor activities in bright sunlight.
Improved visual clarity: By eliminating glare, they improve overall visual clarity, allowing you to see objects more clearly and in greater detail.
Reduced eye strain: Exposure to glare can cause eye strain, leading to squinting, headaches and discomfort. Polarized sunglass lenses reduce this strain, making your eyes more relaxed, especially during prolonged time spent outdoors.
Improved color contrast: They enhance contrast, making colors appear more vibrant and true-to-life.
UV protection: They come with built-in UV protection, shielding your eyes from harmful ultraviolet rays that can cause long-term damage.
When to wear polarized sunglasses
Polarized sunglass lenses are particularly beneficial for a range of activities:
Driving: They reduce glare from the road and off other vehicles, improving safety and comfort on sunny days or when the road surface is wet.
Fishing: They allow anglers to see objects beneath the water better, making it easier – and more comfortable – to spot fish.
Sports: Whether you’re skiing, cycling, or playing golf, they enhance visual clarity and reduce glare, helping you stay focused on the game.
Beach outings: They minimize the glare from sand and water, allowing you to enjoy the sun and surf without squinting.
When polarized sunglasses may not be suitable
While polarized sunglasses offer many advantages, there are some situations where they might not be the best choice. For example, they can make it more difficult to see LCD screens clearly, such as those on your phone, GPS devices, or ATMs.
LCD screens use a combination of liquid crystals and polarized filters to control the light that forms the images you see. This can cause screens to appear dark or distorted through polarized lenses, especially if you tilt your head at certain angles.
Upgrade your sunglasses
Visit us at Family EyeCare & Contact Lens Center to learn more about polarized lenses and the difference they can make to your experience outdoors.