Besides blocking UV rays, polarised lenses feature a component known as a polariser that eliminates the glare from shiny surfaces like water or slick roads. This feature lessens eye strain, providing clearer, more uniform vision across different light conditions.
When sunlight reflects off the earth, water, or snow, it becomes extremely difficult to see clearly, even with standard sun lenses.
Polarised lenses offer a benefit over standard sun lenses by blocking the glare from reflected light, enhancing your visual comfort and clarity.
During extended time spent in the sun, polarised lenses reduce the need to squint or strain to see, which is why they are seen as a better choice for long activities like driving and participating in outdoor sports.
Polarised lenses are equally effective in blocking UV rays as their non-polarised counterparts.
Are polarised lenses better?
Polarised lenses excel at reducing the amount of visible light that causes glare, but they do not offer any advantage in blocking the unseen ultraviolet light (UV). However, by reducing the glare from highly reflective sunlight, they do improve visual comfort by reducing eye fatigue and enhancing the ability to see colours and contrasts.
Polarised lenses provide the same level of protection against UV rays as their non-polarised counterparts.
Are Polarised lenses worth it?
Even though they’re more expensive, polarised lenses are a good investment if you’re out in the sun for a long time and need to keep your eyes focused for a while. For activities like driving or water sports, wearing polarised lenses can reduce eye strain over time or with frequent use.
On the whole, polarised lenses tend to be about 30% more expensive than regular non-polarised ones.
How do polarised lenses work?
Polarised lenses feature a filter either placed on the outside of the lens or sandwiched between two layers of the lens itself. This filter is a very thin layer made up of closely aligned molecules in a vertical line. This alignment is what prevents horizontal light waves (glare) from reaching the lens. This is the reason why sunlight reflecting off water or any flat surface appears distorted and difficult to look at.
As long as the polarised lenses are aligned at a 90-degree angle to the source of glare, they block the horizontal light waves and allow only the vertical ones to pass through. This leads to a clearer, more uniform visual experience that reduces eye strain.
Are polarised lenses darker?
Polarised lenses tend to be slightly darker for clarity because they filter out light coming from side directions. This feature minimises glare and enhances the visibility of small details and colours. On the other hand, non-polarised lenses lack this ability, leading to a difference in perceived darkness based on their shade.
The level of darkness in sunglasses for sun protection is unrelated to UV protection and is instead a gauge of their ability to absorb visible light. The more light a lens can absorb, the darker it appears, and this absorption is quantified as a percentage known as the visible light absorption percentage (ABS%).
Recreational sunglasses for sun protection range from 43% to 85% ABS, placing them in the category 3. In total, there are 5 categories of sunglasses, each defined by their ABS%.
Are polarised lenses good for driving?
Indeed. The reduction in glare and improvement in contrast render polarised lenses an outstanding option for driving. During extended trips, your eyes experience less fatigue as you concentrate on the road in front. This boosts alertness and response times because your eyes don’t have to exert as much effort to interpret immediate changes in traffic, road conditions, and traffic lights.
In the immediate moment, polarised lenses offer a clearer view with improved colour perception and smoother contrast levels.
Long-term use of polarised lenses significantly lessens eye strain, which can build up over hours, days, or even weeks of being exposed to the sun.
A prime illustration of this is a two-week sailing trip in the Mediterranean. Each day, the glare from the water’s surface puts a strain on your eyes. Cumulatively, this can be exhausting without the use of polarised lenses.
Over time, the difference in effectiveness between polarised and non-polarised sunglasses distinguishes these lenses.
What are polarised lenses good for?
Polarised lenses are ideal for those who frequently engage in outdoor activities that demand extended periods of being exposed and concentrating on what you see. They’re particularly advantageous for water sports like fishing, sailing, or paddle boarding, as they help reduce the glare caused by the water. Common uses include;
- Driving in bright daylight or wet road conditions
- Fishing and boating to reduce glare from water surfaces
- Golfing for a clearer view of the fairway and greens
- Outdoor photography to reduce reflections and improve colour saturation
- Hiking to reduce glare and enhance natural colours and contrast in scenic views