A pair of sunglasses can help safeguard your eyes from UV rays while also reducing glare. However, it’s important to know the difference between polarized and non polarized lenses before making a purchase.
A polarized lens features a special filter that reduces light glare by blocking out horizontally-vibrating light. This helps make daytime driving safer, increases clarity and decreases eye strain.
Protection from UV rays
UV rays are the culprit behind many eye problems such as macular degeneration and cataracts, so it’s important to avoid overexposure by wearing sunglasses. This is a simple step you can take that will greatly benefit your eyes!
Most sunglass brands offer UV protection by using plastics with a high UV blocking percentage. Some also add dyes or coatings that block more than 99% of UV rays.
However, it’s not always clear what type of lenses will offer the best protection for your eyes. The two most common types are non polarized and polarized lenses.
Non polarized sunglasses don’t filter the light but instead reflect it, which makes them less effective in preventing UV rays from reaching your eyes. This is why they tend to be cheaper than their polarized counterparts.
Polarized lenses, on the other hand, are made with a filter that allows only vertical rays of light to pass through it. These rays then reflect off the surface they hit and reduce the glare that can cause discomfort.
This makes them especially useful for outdoor activities where glare is a problem, such as driving or boating. Additionally, polarized lenses improve visual clarity and contrast.
They also reduce color distortion, which can be frustrating when looking at bright, shiny things like cars or sports equipment. You may notice a slight blurred effect when viewing these objects through polarized lenses, but this is usually minimal and not much of a concern.
Unlike regular sunglasses, polarized sunglasses also have an anti-reflective coating that reduces glare from water, snow and other reflective surfaces. This also helps to ensure you see clearly when playing sports, such as skiing or fishing, where a glare-free view is necessary to get the most out of your experience.
These polarized lenses can be difficult to tell if they are actually polarized or not, but you can check by holding your sunglasses in front of a reflective surface such as a glass door or windshield and rotating them 90 degrees. If the reflected light appears darker, you’ll know it’s a polarized lens.
Reduced glare
When the sun is shining brightly, it can be hard to see clearly. This can cause eye strain and fatigue, as well as damage to your eyes if you’re exposed to it for a long period of time.
Fortunately, you can protect your eyes from this annoying and potentially dangerous phenomenon by wearing polarized sunglasses. These lenses have a special chemical coating that reduces glare.
What’s more, polarized lenses help to improve your vision in many different ways. They eliminate the glare that can make it harder to see when driving, for example, or during outdoor sports.
They also reduce the glare that can cause you to miss important details when looking at things like small prints or intricate designs. This makes them a good choice for people who spend lots of time outdoors, as they can prevent the eye fatigue and irritation that can result from glare.
In addition to reducing glare, polarized lenses can also increase your visual comfort and contrast. These benefits are especially useful for people who are doing precision sports such as golf, tennis, or basketball.
While polarized lenses are often preferred by athletes, they can also be a great option for anyone who enjoys outdoor activities, especially when it comes to protecting their eyes from the sun’s damaging rays. They can also help to protect your eyes from UV rays, which can cause serious eye damage over time.
When buying sunglasses, you should test them to see if they’re polarized before buying. This can be done by taking them to a drugstore or optical store and placing them at a 90-degree angle to another pair of sunglasses. If the combined lenses turn dark or nearly black, they are most likely polarized.
You can also test polarized lenses by looking through them at a highly reflective surface, such as a metal table or countertop. If the reflected light appears to be brighter for polarized lenses, you know that they are polarized.
You can also use these lenses to view digital screens, such as laptops or smartphones. This can be tricky, though, as they can make the screens appear darker than they would with non polarized lenses.
Better visual clarity
Non polarized sunglasses offer better visual clarity than the polarized counterparts. They help to improve clarity and reduce eye strain when viewing bright objects and environments, allowing you to get the most out of your day.
This type of sunglasses is great for anyone who regularly spends a lot of time in the sun, especially those who experience glare issues or are susceptible to eye fatigue. It also works well for people who are prone to macular degeneration and other vision disorders, as it helps to reduce the amount of harmful UV light reaching the eyes.
The lenses of polarized sunglasses are made with a chemical coating, which helps to reduce glare. This makes them ideal for boating, fishing and other outdoor activities.
During these activities, glare can be dangerous, affecting the visibility of the water or other surfaces. This is a big concern for boaters, fishers and even drivers as it can make it difficult to see the road beneath their wheels or other vehicles around them.
However, polarized lenses can make it easier to view the surface of water and other flat shiny surfaces as they have a built-in filter that only allows vertically oriented light to pass through. The lens also helps to enhance the color and details of the objects you’re viewing.
Polarized lenses are especially helpful for drivers, as they prevent glare from distracting them while driving. They also help to keep eyes comfortable during long road trips and flights, reducing eye fatigue while increasing visual clarity and overall safety.
They are also good for sports, such as golf and tennis. The reduced glare they provide can allow elite golfers to see the ground underneath them more clearly and therefore make it easier to judge the lay of the green.
Polarized lenses also improve the vision of those who suffer from refractive eye surgery, such as LASIK. They also help to minimize the risk of glare while flying and operating heavy machinery. Nevertheless, they should not be worn all the time, as this can affect the health of the eyes and other parts of the body.
Increased durability
Non polarized sunglasses are a great option for people who are looking to safeguard their eyes, but don’t want to spend extra money on polarized lenses. They help shield the eyes from harmful UV rays, but don’t offer the same level of protection as polarized sunglasses do.
Non polarized lenses are typically made from polycarbonate with a pigmented dye applied to the lens surfaces. These tints cut the visible light to a level that the eyes can accept.
These lenses are designed to filter out harsh glare and reflections from water, snow and asphalt. This helps reduce eye strain, eye fatigue and improves visual clarity in bright sunlight.
While polarized sunglasses are a bit more expensive than non polarized lenses, they are well worth the extra money spent for their many advantages. They are highly recommended for driving, skiing, and other outdoor activities.
One of the best parts about polarized lenses is their increased durability. This feature means that they can withstand scratching and chipping for longer than non polarized lenses.
Aside from their durability, polarized sunglasses also help protect your eyes from UV rays. This helps to prevent sunburn, cataracts, macular degeneration and other vision problems.
Polarized sunglasses are also better for reducing the amount of glare that is created by reflective surfaces, such as snow, water, and asphalt. This can lead to eye strain and headaches, especially in bright sunlight.
The downside to polarized lenses is that they can make LCD screens difficult to read, such as those found on airplane dashboards or on navigation devices. This is particularly true for pilots and other people who are required to read digital information on their screens regularly.
Mirrored sunglasses are a great option for those who want to protect their eyes from glare, but don’t necessarily need the added protection that polarized lenses offer. They also provide a layer of privacy and are a popular choice for many.
Like polarized sunglasses, mirrored sunglasses protect your eyes from UV rays and are available in a variety of styles, colors and shapes to suit your personal style and taste. They are also highly durable and can be paired with prescription lenses for even more protection and comfort.