Why use Polarized Lenses?
Our eyes are most used to ‘natural light’ - vertical light waves delivered directly from a source such as the sun. However, when light is bounced off a reflective surface such as water, windshields, or asphalt, it becomes ‘reflected light’.
Reflected light is made up of horizontal light waves which have become scattered before reaching the eye. This is what our eyes perceive as glare. Polarized lenses help to filter these light waves, giving us better vision.
How are Polarized Lenses Made?
The polarization 'filter' is achieved by a chemical process whereby a long chain of hydrocarbons is placed onto Polyvinyl Acetate (PVA). The PVA is then heated, stretched, and dipped in iodine, resulting in a vertical grid effect (not visible to the naked eye). The final PVA is then positioned very close to the front curvature of the lens and helps block horizontal light waves whilst letting vertical ones pass through.
Benefits of Polarized Lenses
COMFORT & PROTECTION
Glare Reduction
Glare impairs our vision and can cause fatigue, headaches, and eye strain because our eyes are having to work harder to interpret the mix of horizontal and vertical light waves. Over time, this can result in safety issues as our ability to make decisions quickly is reduced.
BETTER VISION
Water-based Activities
The qualities of polarized lenses lend them to sports where you need better visibility on the surface of the water (or below it), such as fishing, sailing, SUP, kayaking, windsurfing - or biking and driving on wet roads.
CONTRAST
Enhancing Light & Shadow
In the process of reducing horizontal light waves and glare, polarized lenses also make your overall vision ever so slightly darker. However, they do carry the added benefit of enhancing contrast, particularly in shade.
VIBRANCY
Natural Color Boost
When looking at rich colour environments through non-polarized lenses, you may notice that they can appear dimmer than their true color. This is due to reflections bounced off of tiny particles in humid or polluted air. Polarized lenses help stop these erratic reflections, helping you retain true color perception.
CONTRAST
Enhancing Light & Shadow
In the process of reducing horizontal light waves and glare, polarized lenses also make your overall vision ever so slightly darker. However, they do carry the added benefit of enhancing contrast, particularly in shade.
Downside of Polarized Lenses
SNOW & ICE
Reduced Perception
It is a common misnomer that polarized lenses are useful on snow and ice. In glacial and snow-laden environments (particularly when moving at speed) polarized lenses make it harder to differentiate between different shades of white associated with snow and ice.
DIGITAL SCREENS
Moire Effect
Polarized lenses are brilliant for natural environments, but not so useful when looking at screens. You may experience ‘moire patterns’ - an almost holographic-type effect when looking at digital screens through polarized lenses.
PRICE
More Expensive to Manufacture
Creating polarized lenses involves one more step during the manufacturing process, incurring an additional cost. This is often passed onto the consumer, making your polarized sunglasses more expensive than non-polarized.