Polarized sunglasses are a type of sunglasses that have a special type of lenses – polarized lenses. The polarized sunglasses look like any other tinted sunglasses, except, but they may perform differently by reducing glare. This makes them particularly useful for numerous activities outdoors in bright sunlight – from driving to playing sports to just hanging out at the beach.
Let’s take a look at the vision benefits of polarized sunglasses, and the science behind them.
What Are Polarized Sunglasses?
Before diving into the benefits of polarized sunglasses, let’s understand what they are and how they work. Polarized sunglasses are a reduced glare type of tinted eyewear. They reduce glare from reflective surfaces such as water, snow, and pavement and work by filtering out components of light waves that create glare, which can be especially problematic on reflective surfaces like roads, water and snow.
Polarized sunglasses are especially popular for outdoor sports, beach days, and driving. Among those who may especially benefit from polarized sunglass lensess are boaters, fishermen, and skiers, who spend a lot of time in bright, sunny conditions where glare can be a significant problem. They are also popular among drivers, as they can help reduce the glare from reflective surfaces on the road.
How Polarized Lenses Work To Reduce Glare
Polarized lenses work by selectively blocking certain types of light waves that cause glare. Light waves travel in all directions, but when they reflect off a flat, smooth surface like water or a road, they become polarized, meaning they travel in a more uniform direction, usually horizontally. This results in intense glare, which can be uncomfortable and even dangerous, especially while driving or participating in outdoor sports.
Polarized lenses contain a special filter or coating that is oriented in a single direction, typically vertically, to block these polarized light waves. This allows only vertically oriented light waves to pass through the lenses, significantly reducing glare and improving visibility. As a result, objects and colors appear sharper and more vivid when viewed through polarized lenses.
To test whether your sunglasses are polarized, you can try looking at a reflective surface like water or a car windshield. Tilt your head to one side and look through the lenses. If the glare is reduced or eliminated, then your sunglasses are polarized. Other tests are further down in this article, to determine if your lenses are polarized .
Benefits of Polarized Sunglasses
Reduced Glare and Eye Strain
The most obvious benefit of polarized sunglasses is that they reduce glare on a sunny day. This is especially beneficial for activities such as driving, boating, fishing, and skiing, where glare can be particularly problematic. By reducing glare, polarized sunglasses make it easier to see and improve visual comfort.
Reduced glare also means less eye strain. When we are exposed to bright sunlight and glare, our eyes have to work harder to see clearly. This can lead to fatigue and discomfort, especially after extended periods of time. Polarized sunglasses can help reduce this eye strain, making it easier to enjoy your time outdoors.
Improved Color Perception
Another benefit of polarized sunglasses is that they can improve color perception. By blocking out horizontal light waves, polarized sunglasses enhance the contrast and saturation of colors. This can make colors appear more vibrant and true to life, which is especially important for activities such as driving or outdoor sports, where color perception can impact safety.
This may therefore increase your visual clarity. Because they reduce glare, they help to enhance the colors and contrast of the environment you are in, making it easier to see details and textures that might otherwise be obscured.
Better Depth Perception
Polarized sunglasses can also improve depth perception. By reducing glare and enhancing contrast, they make it easier to distinguish objects in the distance. This is particularly important for activities such as driving or skiing, where accurate depth perception is critical for safety.
Protection from UV Rays in Addition to Polarized Filters
Most polarized sunglasses also include protection from UV rays, which are harmful to the eyes and can lead to a variety of eye problems, including cataracts and macular degeneration. It’s important to choose polarized sunglasses that provide adequate UV protection to ensure that your eyes are fully protected from the sun’s harmful rays.
Versatility
Polarized sunglasses are versatile and can be worn in a variety of settings. They’re great for outdoor activities such as hiking, biking, and running, but they’re also suitable for everyday wear. With so many styles and designs available, it’s easy to find a pair of polarized sunglasses that suit your personal style.
Comparison of Polarized Sunglasses, Non-Polarized Sunglasses and Untinted Glasses
Here’s a table comparing polarized sunglasses, non-polarized sunglasses, and untinted glasses:
| Feature | Polarized Sunglasses | Non-Polarized Sunglasses | Untinted Glasses |
|---|---|---|---|
| Glare Reduction | Yes | No | No |
| UV Protection | Optional | Optional | Optional |
| Color Perception | Enhanced | Normal | Normal |
| Depth Perception | Improved | Normal | Normal |
| Visual Comfort | Reduced eye strain and fatigue | Eye strain and fatigue may be more than with polarized lenses | Eye strain and fatigue may be more than with polarized lenses |
| Versatility | Suitable for outdoor activities and everyday wear | Suitable for outdoor activities and everyday wear | Suitable for everyday wear |
| Price Range | Moderate to Expensive | Inexpensive to Moderate | Inexpensive |
Polarized sunglasses offer the most benefits in terms of glare reduction, color perception, depth perception, and visual comfort. They might beย especially useful for outdoor activities where glare can be a problem, such as driving, boating, fishing, and skiing. However, they tend to be more expensive than non-polarized sunglasses.
Non-polarized sunglasses may provide UV protection and can be used for outdoor activities and everyday wear. However, they don’t offer the same level of glare reduction as polarized sunglasses, and they can sometimes cause eye strain and fatigue.
Untinted glasses, such as prescription eyeglasses or clear safety glasses, provide no protection against glare and typically do not include protection against UV rays. They’re generally used for everyday wear and do not offer the same benefits as polarized or non-polarized sunglasses.
Disadvantages of Polarized Sunglass Lenses
While polarized lenses offer many benefits, there are also some potential disadvantages to consider:
May Not Work With LCD Screens, Such as Cell Phones: Polarized lenses can reduce visibility of LCD screens, such as those found on smartphones, watches, and some car dashboards. This can make it difficult to read information on these screens while wearing polarized lenses.
Limited Use for Low-Light Conditions: While polarized lenses are great for bright outdoor conditions, they may not be as effective in low-light conditions or indoors. In fact, some people find that polarized lenses can make it more difficult to see in these conditions.
Higher Cost: Polarized lenses tend to be more expensive than non-polarized lenses, which can be a deterrent for some people.
Not Suitable for Some Activities Requiring Reading LCD Screens: Polarized lenses may not be suitable for certain activities, such as piloting airplanes, as they can interfere with the visibility of certain instruments and navigation aids.
Distortion and Prismatic Effects: In rare cases, polarized lenses can cause distortion and prismatic effects that may be bothersome or uncomfortable for some wearers.
Overall, polarized sunglasses and lenses offer a range of benefits for many activities. From reducing glare and eye strain to improving color perception and depth perception, polarized sunglasses can make your time outside more enjoyable and comfortable.