They might have been developed by NASA to protect astronauts’ eyes from space radiation, but these days you’re more likely to see polarized sunglasses on a Pacific Coast sailor or angler. Not that you’d know they’re wearing specialized lenses just by looking at them. The real wizardry takes place when you’re peeking out through the lenses. But what’s the real difference between polarized and non-polarized lenses, and which type should you keep on your daily rotation?
The lenses of polarized sunglasses are coated with a thin chemical film. This film eliminates much of the harsh, brilliant light that’s reflected off water or highway surfaces on sunny days. They are designed to reduce glare and decrease the amount of reflections that your eyes see. Glare occurs when our eyes see a flat surface reflecting light at one angle. These reflections can make it more difficult to see clearly on sun-filled days.
Equipped with a pair of polarized sunglasses, wearers can look at those same flat surfaces without the glare, allowing them to see beneath the water’s surface or through sunlit windows. Standard, non-polarized sunglasses, by contrast, simply reduce the intensity of bright or shimmering reflections. They do not have the capability to block the glare that our eyes experience from reflections off of smooth surfaces.
People like to wear polarized lenses because it lessens the glare they experience as they go about their day. Even if they’re not planning to go boating, play a game of beach volleyball, or need to see through sunlit windows, they may find that their eyes are less strained with polarized lenses. You can find stylish sunglasses in both polarized and non-polarized varieties, so it’s really just a matter of personal choice.
Reflective surfaces such as flat water, glass, snow, or smooth hardtops (such as the hood of a car) polarize natural sunlight, concentrating its waves in a single horizontal direction. This causes excessive dazzle and glare that can end up straining the eyes. The molecules coating polarized sunglasses are usually arranged vertically, much like blinds on a window, blocking out the piercing slices of horizontal light. These molecular ‘blinds’ let normal concentrations of the light pass but block out the intense concentrations of reflected light.
Because the more intense, horizontal light waves are blocked, you’ll notice much less glare when you’re using polarized lenses. These types of lenses will also typically darken what you see around you, but the images will be clearer and you’ll be able to see more of what you’re looking at.
Non-polarized lenses treat all sunlight equally and reduce the overall intensity. This offers protection for the eyes but will not tackle shimmer and sparkle if you’re around water, snow, or glass. Non-polarized lenses can also protect your eyes from harmful UV rays no matter if you’re out on the beach, running errands, or just enjoying a stroll down the street. Most sunglasses are designed to filter out those rays and darken images, but if they are polarized, they will always be labeled as such.
Non-polarized lenses are great when you want to see the world around you as it is, which includes all kinds of colors that aren’t dimmed by polarized lenses. If it’s cloudy or overcast outside, non-polarized lenses are a great option.
Polarized sunglasses also filter ambient light but go further by canceling out bright reflected light. This advanced performance allows:
Both types of lenses make for more eye comfort on a sunny day, but polarized lenses actively counter the incapacitating effects of bright sunlight. No one likes to go through ftheir day straining their eyes due to the glare from sunlight. If you know you’re going to be out on the water, driving in the sun, or even participating in a sport outside, you may want to consider bringing your polarized sunglasses with you.
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