Benefits of Polarized Sunglasses - Complete Guide

On a very bright day and you feel that pinch in your eye? Our optic health needs attention too. The benefits of polarized sunglasses makes it worthy of being in your everyday bag. 

What is Polarization?

According to Refraction (Optics) in Physics, Polarization limits the angles at which light reaches the viewer. In eyewears, the lenses are treated with a chemical or a film through which only vertical light can pass through, horizontal can’t.

What are Polarized Sunglasses?

They are made by sandwiching a polarizing anti-glare film between two lenses made of glass or polycarbonate. It helps by reducing glare from reflective surfaces. Polarized Sunglasses usually come in full-rim structures; and polycarbonate lenses (for sports use) and glass lenses (for regular use).

Key Benefits of Polarized Sunglasses

Major advantages of polarized sunglasses are —

1. Reduction of Glare

Glare is a visual stimulation caused due to excessive bright light exposure. Polarized sunglasses can significantly cut it down to prevent distraction whilst you're driving, boating, or skiing.

2. Enhanced Visual Clarity

Amongst the deal-breaker benefits of polarized lenses, it provides safety to the wearer by giving a sharper and more detailed vision. These refractive lenses let you focus on detailings on extreme bright reflective surfaces.

3. Increased Comfort

There are comforting advantages of polarized sunglasses which is needed for optimal optic health. They causes less strain to the eyes and are perfect for dry or sensitive eyes.

4. Improved Color Perception

When scattered light is filtered out, one can see crystal clear. These are the best sunglasses for men and women who love to appreciate and differentiate the colors in nature while skiing, photography or fishing.

They come in several tint options like dark grey, amber (for contrast and color separation), blue (for color enhancement), clear, etc for various levels of light exposure. They provide 100% UV protection. Speksee Polarized lenses provide clear vision while driving, travelling, riding, skiing or during adventure sports.

5. Safety Benefits

Specially made for outdoor activities, the benefits of polarized lenses outperform themselves as they are necessary for almost everything — from driving to work to  climbing the everest! Being UV protected, they help prevent accidents caused by impaired vision and long-term eye damage as well.

Ideal Situations for Using Polarized Sunglasses

The benefits of polarized lenses like the velocity driving sunglasses make them ideal for all situations.

Driving

1. Reduces glare from the road
2. Enhances visual clarity
3. Must have sunglasses for women as it improves focus and safety
4. Reduces eye fatigue
5. Enhances contrast

Outdoor Sports and Activities

1. Improves visibility on snow with sports sunglasses.
2. Enhances performance — in cycling, running, hiking, trekking, etc.
3. Provides better visibility for fishing by reducing glare from water.
4. Reduces glare on ski slopes

 Everyday Use 

1. Reduces eye strain
2. Provides comfort in bright conditions
3. Protects against UV rays
4. Enhances visual comfort outdoors
5. Improves visibility while walking
6. Enhances viewing comfort at the beach or pool (any waterside)

How to Choose the Right Polarized Sunglasses?

Amidst a spectrum of benefits of polarized sunglasses, selecting the right one from the sunglasses collection involves considering several factors, such as —

1. 100% UV protected lenses
2. A well padded frame for comfort
3. A frame that suits your facial feature well
4. Correct frame size
5. Built material
6. Polarized Lens color

There are a lot of differences between polarized and non-polarized sunglasses. To determine if sunglasses are polarized, you can use these methods:

1. Polarization Test Card: Many sunglasses retailers provide polarization test cards. Look through the sunglasses at the card: if they are polarized, you should see hidden patterns or images on the card that are not visible with non-polarized lenses.
2. LCD Screen Test: Hold the sunglasses in front of an LCD screen (e.g., a smartphone or computer screen). Rotate the sunglasses while looking through them. If they are polarized, you will notice the screen's brightness and clarity change or darken as you rotate the lenses.
3. Reflective Surface Test: Find a reflective surface such as water, glass, or a car hood. Put on the sunglasses and rotate your head while looking at the surface. Polarized lenses should significantly reduce glare compared to non-polarized lenses.
4. Purchase from a Trusted Source: Buying sunglasses from reputable brands or optical stores ensures they are correctly labeled and equipped with polarized lenses if stated.

By using these methods, you can verify whether your sunglasses are polarized and enjoy the benefits of reduced glare and enhanced visual clarity in bright environments.

Also, read about difference between Polarized and UV-protection sunglasses

Disadvantages of Polarized Sunglasses?

While polarized sunglasses offer numerous benefits like reducing glare and improving visibility, they also come with a few disadvantages:

1. Difficulty with LCD Screens: Polarized lenses can make it challenging to view LCD screens clearly, such as those on smartphones, ATMs, and car dashboards.
2. Cost: Polarized sunglasses are typically more expensive than non-polarized ones due to the additional technology used in their production.
3. Reduced Visibility in Certain Conditions: In some low-light situations, polarized lenses may reduce visibility as they darken the view, potentially making it harder to see details.
4. Artificial Light Sensitivity: Polarized lenses can sometimes make it more challenging to see in environments with artificial light, such as inside a car with tinted windows or in certain indoor settings.
5. Not Ideal for Some Activities: They may not be suitable for activities where you need to see surface reflections clearly, like skiing or fishing, where spotting fish or icy patches is important.

    

    

Understanding these drawbacks helps in deciding whether polarized sunglasses are the right choice for specific activities or environments. 

Which is better, UV or polarized sunglasses? 

The choice between polarized and non-polarized sunglasses depends on your specific needs and activities. Polarized sunglasses are better for reducing glare from reflective surfaces like water and roads, enhancing visual clarity in bright conditions. Non-polarized sunglasses, while typically less expensive, still provide UV protection and may be preferred for general use or when viewing digital screens. Ultimately, the best choice depends on whether glare reduction or overall UV protection is more important for your eye care needs.

FAQs

Is it better to get polarized sunglasses?

Yes. There are several benefits of polarized sunglasses like better visual clarity, reduced glare, and excessive light filtration, that makes them a must-have outdoor activities.

What are the advantages of polarized sunglasses? 

Polarized sunglasses offer multiple advantages such as reducing glare from reflective surfaces like water and roads, improving visual clarity and contrast, enhancing comfort by minimizing eye strain, and providing clearer vision in bright conditions. These benefits make them ideal for outdoor activities and driving, where glare reduction is crucial for safety and comfort. 

Do eye doctors recommend polarized sunglasses? 

Yes. The advantages of polarized sunglasses are approved by doctors.

Which is better, polarized or non-polarized sunglasses?

Polarized sunglasses are generally better for reducing glare and improving visual clarity, especially in bright sunlight or around reflective surfaces like water and snow. Non-polarized sunglasses are typically more affordable and still provide UV protection but do not offer the same level of glare reduction. The choice depends on whether you prioritize glare reduction and enhanced vision or are looking for a more budget-friendly option with UV protection.

Are polarized sunglasses healthier for your eyes?

Yes, polarized sunglasses reduce glare and eye strain, and protect against harmful UV rays, contributing to overall eye health.

What are polarized sunglasses and how do they work?

Polarized sunglasses have lenses with a special filter that blocks horizontally oriented light, reducing glare and improving visibility.

What is the difference between polarized sunglasses and regular sunglasses?

Regular sunglasses reduce brightness but may not eliminate glare. Polarized sunglasses specifically filter out glare, offering better visual clarity and comfort.

How do polarized sunglasses reduce glare?

Polarized sunglasses reduce glare by using a special filter that blocks horizontally oriented light waves, which are responsible for glare.