Sunlight scatters in all directions. But when it strikes flat surfaces, the light that is reflected by the surfaces tends to become polarized — meaning the reflected light beams travel in a more uniform (usually horizontal) direction. This creates an annoying and sometimes dangerous intensity of light that causes glare and reduces visibility.
Polarized lenses have a special filter that blocks this type of intense reflected light, reducing glare and discomfort.
Polarized sunglasses block glare from light reflecting off flat surfaces better than any other type of sunglass lenses, making them very popular among people who spend a lot of time outdoors, on the road and particularly near water.
But sunglasses aren’t just for people who love boating, fishing or going to the beach. Anyone who is bothered by glare outdoors can benefit from these advanced sunglass lenses.
Polarized sunglasses can be helpful for driving, too, because they reduce direct reflective glare from the hoods of vehicles and light-colored pavement.
Some light-sensitive people, including someone who has had cataract surgery, also will benefit from polarized sunglasses.
Comparison between Polarized sunglasses and Non-polarized sunglasses
Polarized sunglasses
Polarized sunglasses provide advantages when it comes to decreasing eye strain and discomfort in bright sunlight. They offer those who enjoy an outdoor lifestyle or who spend time around bodies of water to enjoy a glare-free form of eye protection.
People who spend time driving, either for work or leisure, will see improved comfort and visibility by using polarized lenses. That, in turn, helps them to drive more safely and confidently.
However, it is important to keep in mind that boaters and pilots may experience problems when viewing liquid crystal displays (LCD) displays on instrument panels, which can be a crucial issue when it comes to making split-second decisions based strictly on information displayed on a screen.
Non-polarized sunglasses
Though polarized sunglass lenses improve comfort and visibility, you may encounter some instances when polarized lenses aren’t advisable. One example is downhill skiing, wherein you actually want to see the bright patches of reflected light because they alert you to icy conditions.
As mentioned above, polarized lenses reduce the visibility of images produced by LCDs found on some digital screens, such as bank automatic teller machines (ATMs) and gas station pumps. With polarized lenses, you may also find it more difficult to see the screen on your phone (depending on the type of screen technology used).
Despite these exceptions, polarized sunglasses offer tremendous advantages when it comes to decreasing eye strain and discomfort in bright sunlight.
