Spending time outdoors is always refreshing and necessary for a healthy lifestyle. Enjoying the sun is one thing, but taking care of your eyes while outside is essential. That’s where consistent eye exams and choosing the right sunglasses come in.
Let’s look at what polarized sunglasses are, how they can benefit you, and if they’re better for you.
What Are Polarized Sunglasses?
Polarized sunglasses are a great option for you if you love spending time outdoors. Polarized lenses can help reduce glare and provide clarity when you’re working outdoors in a high-glare environment surrounded by water or snow.
Some benefits of polarized sunglasses include:
- Clearer vision, especially in bright light
- Increased contrast and minimal colour distortion
- Reduced glare and reflection
- Reduced eye strain
Polarized lenses prevent light glare from hitting you directly in your eyes. By coating polarized lenses with a particular chemical, they block some of that light and glare as it passes through them. Polarized lenses act as a filter for what reflects into your eyes.
Things may look a little darker than usual when you’re wearing grey polarized sunglasses. Still, the trade-off and difference from regular sunglasses is the added protection for your eyes from the sun’s rays and glare.
Brown polarized lenses can increase contrast and are more effective to use on an overcast day as opposed to grey polarized lenses.
While polarized lenses are ideal for outdoor activities and reducing glare, there are some activities polarized lenses aren’t good for:
- Looking at LCD screens
- Flying
- Low-light situations and driving at night
- People whose sight may be sensitive to how the lenses change lighting
Polarized lenses are darkened and perfect for high-glare activities and spending time outdoors. However, they’re not ideal for reading glasses and other activities.
Polarized Sunglasses & UV Protection
Polarized lenses and UV-protected lenses aren’t the same—it’s important to note that polarized lenses don’t provide UV protection unless otherwise specified.
While not offering more UV protection, polarized lenses do provide a contrast that can reduce glare and make outdoor activities safer and easier on your eyes.
UV-protected lenses work by shielding your eyes against harmful UV exposure, which can be linked to cataracts and eye damage. UV protection alone doesn’t protect your eyes from reflected beams of light and glare. It’s essential to change your eyewear to fit the environment and your needs.
Some general things to look out for when you’re shopping for sunglasses include:
- Lenses should have the same level of darkness
- Lenses that don’t change your view so that it’s unnatural
- A frame that is close to your eyes and fits the shape of your face well
Now that you know what polarized sunglasses are and how they can benefit you, you may be wondering if they’re better for you? Let’s take a look.
Are Polarized Sunglasses the Best Choice?
If you’re wondering whether polarized sunglasses are the best sunglasses for you, the answer will come from what your needs are.
Polarized sunglasses perform a specialized function and are for people who are spending a lot of time outdoors and want to reduce bright reflection and unwanted glare. Polarized sunglasses are a great option for you if you’re often in bright situations and need proper eye protection.
Polarized lenses aren’t designed to protect you from directly staring at the sun. You should always take precautions to protect your eyes from harmful UV light.
Some tips to keep in mind when looking for polarized sunglasses:
- If UV protection and polarized sunglasses are important to you, look for sunglasses that explicitly say they offer UV protection.
- Avoid glasses that are too small and don’t cover your eye area completely.
- If your sunglasses tend to see rough usage, opt for sunglasses that have a scratch-resistant lens treatment.
Choosing the right sunglasses for you depends on your needs. Consulting your optometrist to figure out the right fit is a great initial step.
Living the Polarized Life
Protecting your eyes is an ongoing process—anything you can find to assist and make your day-to-day life as comfortable as possible is essential. Polarized lenses are specialized and can combat some of the discomforts that glare can bring. Book an appointment with your optometrist today to learn more about polarized sunglasses and get your own pair.
