Everything You Need to Know About Polarized Sunglasses
We have all been in that tough spot. You are driving your car and something makes you flinch. You take your eyes off the road for a second, look over, and there is the bright shining sun reflecting off of the hood of another driver’s car. So you slip on your sunglasses and it helps, but certainly does not eliminate the harsh glare completely.
You can either speed by or hope for a turn in the road, but if you are sensitive to harsh lights the relief cannot come sooner. Maybe you even bought a pair of your own prescription sunglasses online! But why do you still have to deal with that horrible glare?
Here’s the thing, you probably bought non-polarized lenses. While general sunglasses can certainly ease some of the tension felt on our eyes, you are still going to be affected by glares.
What are Polarized Sunglasses?
Have you ever been shopping for a pair of sunglasses and come across two identical pairs that have a big price difference? Chances are, one of them is polarized. When you see the two different pairs you have a couple of options. You can buy the cheaper pair and hope for the best, or you can splurge a bit and know your eyes will be taken care of.
Polarized sunglasses provide an extra layer of protection that prevent harsh glares from coming through the lenses. Allowing you to easily see everything within sight. This makes the popular for those of us who like the outdoors.
Harsh glares can be common when you are out at the lake, having a beach day, skiing the slopes, or even driving through a country area. There are plenty of spots in nature that are more susceptible to harsh glares making them a popular option for sports sunglasses. Getting a polarized pair is certainly something you should consider if you are planning on being outdoors a lot.
How do they work?
As you go throughout your day you are constantly taking in light. This light comes in many different forms, frequencies, and strengths. What polarized lenses do is take light that is reflected off surfaces and slow it down. As it slows the light down it gives off the effect of blocking the reflected light.
This allows your eyes to take in less light and be able to see whatever object the light is reflecting off of. This is why it reduces glare.
High-Quality Polarized Lenses Vs. Low-Quality Polarized Lenses
So maybe you have been sold on purchasing your first pair of polarized lenses, but still, where should you start? Glasses themselves can range anywhere from $10 – $1,000! Does polarized lenses mean you have to pay $1,000 for glasses?
No! Just like with regular sunglasses, you will get what you pay for. If you pay for $10 polarized sunglasses, you will get $10 polarized sunglasses. Likewise, if you pay for $1,000 polarized sunglasses, not a single glare will break your lens barrier!
Just as the $10 is going to be a lower quality lens and frame, so is the polarizing effect. See, polarized glasses are made by adding a polarized film over the lens. So if you buy a cheaper pair, you will likely get a cheaper polarized film applied over the lens. If you buy a more expensive pair, the quality of the glasses and the polarized lens will go up as well.
Healthy, Too!
Polarized lenses don’t just reduce glare, they can actually help ease issues like headaches and migraines caused by glares. Some of us are more sensitive to harsh light than others and some of us work in fields where we are frequently exposed to glares or lights reflecting off of bright services, like uber drivers and those that work on cars. Whether you find yourself frequently squinting at glares or are simply sensitive to glare light, polarized lenses can be a blessing!
It is also important to note that sunglasses aren’t just a popular fashion choice. They have a medical purpose. Since there is no melanin in our eyes, unlike our skin, our eyes can actually be damaged by sunlight much more easily. The more we expose them to harsh light the more sensitive they become.
This is why sunglasses in general are so important. When you look at also having polarized lenses, you are giving your eyes a better chance and purchasing a more robust medical device, but in a stylishly way!
Alternatives
If you are searching for the perfect pair of polarized sunglasses but have some particular needs you may want to consider some alternatives. Many have found that mirrored glasses have a similar effect polarized glasses have, without the extra price. These can often be found for an inexpensive price at outdoor sporting goods stores.
Another alternative is to search for outdoor sporting lenses, not necessarily just mirrored lenses. These can range in price but they are going to be more specifically designed to shade your eyes and block glares. These can be especially useful if you are going on a hike or camping and expect to be near a lake, ocean, or other large body of water.
Whether you are driving in your car, enjoying a day on a boar, or snowboarding the snowy mountainside, polarized lenses can be a necessity in making sure your eyes are fully protected. Not only does it make any experience more enjoyable, but they are actually healthy!
They keep your eyes protected while preventing headaches and migraines. No problem if you are on a budget or have all the money in the world, there is an option out there that will fit your needs perfectly. We hope this guide has helped you in decide whether polarized lenses are a good choice for you!