Spending time outdoors means you need a pair of sunglasses to protect you from the harmful rays of the sun. If you’re due to buy sunglasses, consider getting one that has polarised lenses.
Chapter Overview
Polarised is Better
Many sunglasses being sold today have UV protection. However, because there is no law or regulation requiring brands to make lenses that have such, be wary of pairs being sold at a price that is too good to be true. They may provide some protection, or none at all.
Aside from UV protection, some sunglasses boast lenses that are polarised. In case you come across one, here’s what you need to know about them and why they are better for your eyes:
The Mechanics
When the sun hits any surface, its rays are either absorbed or it can bounce off in all sorts of directions. Some surfaces are more reflective than others, such as water, snow, or the hood of a car. This reflection can cause vision discomfort as well as a blinding glare. As you can imagine, this glare can be potentially harmful in some situations such as when you are driving or skiing.
Polarised lenses work by only allowing vertically oriented light to pass through. It works this way because it has a laminated filter. The glare, which is horizontally oriented, is nearly eliminated.
Polarised lenses come in a variety of colours and usually the darker the lens, the higher the polarisation levels. Popular choices are brown and black, but some brands have colors such as yellow, green, and melanin too.
Why It’s Better
If you’re interested to buy polarised sunglasses but you’re unsure if you even need one ( you might be thinking that UV protection is enough), the advantages far outweigh the disadvantages.
- Enjoy visual comfort – There shouldn’t be reason why your eyes should feel any discomfort while you spend time outdoors
- See colours clearer – Just because you’re using a pair of sunglasses doesn’t mean you shouldn’t enjoy the view!
- Eye strain is reduced – No more straining! Polarised lenses help your eyes relax.
- Everything is clearer and contrast is improved – Everything never looked this good!
- Zero glare – The sun’s glare can be dangerous under some conditions. There is no use in risking it.
There are very few disadvantages to wearing polarised lenses.
One disadvantage of polarised lenses is that it can make some people dizzy or maybe even disoriented. This could be a psychological or neurological issue. Other users have also reported that polarised sunglasses can give a 3D effect to their surroundings.
People who experience such effects or nuisance usually have issues with their eyes. The vertical light that polarised lenses allow to pass through is received or processed differently by the photoreceptor cells found at the back of the eyes. In this case, tinted sunglasses work the best for them.
In some sports like downhill skiing, you’d want to avoid using polarised sunglasses. This will make you see where you’re going more clearly. Icy slopes shine a certain way and for skiers it is especially important to avoid such surfaces to avoid sliding.
Some occupations require using polarised lenses but may need to remove them to be able to see liquid crystal displays or LCD screens accurately.
The Takeaway
Polarised sunglasses may seem like a “specialty” type of eyewear but that’s far from the truth. If you’re looking for sunglasses that are guaranteed to protect your eyes, go for a pair that has polarised lenses.
There is no need to go out and buy a pair when shops like Great Southern Sunnies offer next day shipping for all AU orders. Browse the many designs and brands that have polarised lenses so that the next time you go outdoors, there’s nothing stopping you from enjoying your day.