Light bounces off flat surfaces and reflects at weird angles, creating annoying glare. Polarized sunglasses use a special chemical filter to only let vertical light pass through, reducing glare and making things look more apparent.
Polarized sunglasses lenses are essential for people who spend much time on or around water. But they can also help anyone who’s bothered by outdoor glare.
They Block Glare
Light bounces off uneven objects in many directions, creating an annoying glare that can even blind you. However, when the reflected light is off flat surfaces like water, snow, or even asphalt, it tends to stick in one direction and be brighter. So, what are polarized sunglasses? Polarized sunglasses block this glare using a chemical film to reduce its intensity.
If you’re unsure whether your sunglasses are polarized, try this simple test: hold them to a flat surface, like the back of an LCD screen. If the lenses look dark, they’re polarized. If you’re buying a pair of polarized sunglasses, it’s essential to ensure they also offer 100% UV protection to prevent eye damage from long-term exposure to UV rays.
Reducing glare decreases eye strain and headaches caused by squinting, making colors appear more vivid and transparent. This can improve the performance of activities like fishing and golf, which depend on visual clarity to catch fish or hit a green. It can also make driving safer by cutting glare off roadways and waterways and making a day on the boat more comfortable.
They Block UV Rays
Whether enjoying a day at the beach, hiking in the mountains, or playing a sport like fishing, polarized sunglasses will help keep your eyes healthy by blocking harmful UV rays. UV rays, which are also responsible for sunburn on your skin, can cause permanent damage to your eyesight if you expose them long-term. This can lead to cataracts, macular degeneration, and even blindness.
To block UV rays, polarized lenses contain special filters that allow vertical light to pass through them while blocking horizontal light, creating glare. This allows you to see richer colors and more apparent contrast in your environment.
To ensure your sunglasses offer full UV protection, make sure the labels on the frames state that they are polarized and have 100% UV protection. You can also ask your eye care professional about sunglasses with a polarized coating that offers UV protection and reduced glare. For example, Bambuddha offers sunglasses with a polarized lens and UV protection to prevent eye strain while keeping your vision sharp.
They Are Comfortable
In addition to making you look great, a pair of polarized sunglasses will make your eyes feel less tired. This is because polarized lenses filter out horizontal light rays that reflect off water or other surfaces, which causes eye strain.
This makes polarized sunglasses popular for those who enjoy fishing, boating, or lounging on the beach. They also help you see more clearly when driving or on the water, where glare can be a problem. However, it’s important to note that polarized lenses can reduce the visibility of images on digital displays.
If you’re looking for a pair of polarized sunglasses, look for a model that fits your face shape and looks good with your wardrobe. If the frames are too small, they may press against your face, leading to headaches. They won’t stay on or provide enough protection from UV rays if they’re too large. To avoid eye discomfort, choose a polarized pair of sunglasses with an adjustable bridge or a wraparound frame that offers more eye coverage.
They Look Cool
Just like you put on sunscreen to protect your skin, you should wear sunglasses with polarized lenses to protect your eyes. These lenses are designed with a chemical that filters light by aligning its molecules in specific ways to block glare from passing through.
When you’re outdoors, glare can come from many different directions. For example, the sun’s rays can reflect off smooth surfaces such as water, snow, cars, and pavement. When this reflected light hits your eyes, it can cause a glare that interferes with your vision and can make things look darker than they are.
You might squint to reduce the glare, but this reflex can strain your eyes over time and cause eye fatigue or headaches. Instead, polarized lenses will filter out the glare so your eyes can relax and stay comfortable all day. The reduced glare will also allow you to see objects in their true colors to make your vision more transparent and more vibrant.
They Are Safe
While polarized sunglasses help reduce eye strain and nullify blinding glare, they also provide better visual acuity in bright environments. This is particularly helpful for athletes and outdoor enthusiasts, allowing them to see details that may become washed out in direct sunlight.
Polarized lenses block horizontal light rays, often reflected off smooth surfaces like water or snow. These rays can be annoying but also dangerous because they can create blinding sunglasses that could distract you from your surroundings and potentially lead to accidents or injuries.
The best-polarized sunglasses are those that have both UV protection and polarization. UV protection prevents long-term damage to your eyes from harmful ultraviolet rays often emitted by the sun. If you are looking for polarized sunglasses with UV protection, check that they meet the ANSI Z87.1 standard. You can test a pair of sunglasses to see how polarized they are by holding them up to another set of glasses known to be polarized and observing the difference in how much light can pass through.
