If you’ve bought sunglasses in the past few years, you may have noticed that polarized lens treatments have become extremely popular. Whether you have tried polarized lenses or not, you may be curious as to what makes them different than other tinted lenses. Read on for the Vision Gallery’s brief summary of polarization in sunglasses lenses.
UNDERSTANDING GLARE
To understand polarization, you must first understand where glare comes from. Light travels in many different directions– our eyes see best when provided with a lot of vertically-polarized light. Conversely, horizontally-polarized light can only be interpreted by our eyes as glare or intense light. Glare is harmful to your eyes, causes distraction and can be worsened by things in your environment such as shiny objects or extended flat surfaces.
POLARIZATION
Polarized lenses are treated with a filter that prevents the majority of non-vertical light from reaching the eyes. This allows your eyes to better absorb vertical-oriented light, decreasing glare and thereby increasing your ability to perceive detail. This isn’t true in all conditions: a polarized filter can obscure icy patches and LCD displays.
THE VERDICT
Polarized lenses often increase the price of sunglasses, so ensure you will benefit from the features before you make your purchase. Besides the advantages listed above, polarized lenses are especially effective for driving in sunny conditions as well as all watersports and other similar leisure activities. Remember: you get what you pay for– a cheaper pair of polarized sunglasses may only prevent 10% of horizontal light, which is barely noticeable.
Confused or curious? Still have questions? Contact or visit our professionals at the Vision Gallery today and we can answer all of your questions while finding the perfect pair of polarized sunglasses for you.
