Polarized sunglasses help protect your eyes from the light that reflects off of highly reflective surfaces like water, sheet metal, snow, and asphalt.
Usually, light scatters when it bounces off an object’s uneven surface. But if the surface of an object is smooth, the light will vibrate in one direction into your eyes.
That strong glare can be painful and even harmful to your eyes. Polarized sunglasses, however, reduce the reflection to protect your eyes.
The polarized lens was invented by NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory scientists. They were studying eagles’ razor-sharp vision. They discovered a naturally occurring oil in eagles’ eyes that control certain light properties and limit specific wavelengths.
Scientists were able to mimic that effect in polarized sunglasses with a chemical that filters the light that meets your eye.
Because the filter on polarized sunglasses is vertical, and glares are typically horizontal light, only some light can make it through each lens.
Polarized sunglasses can help protect your eyes. However, understanding the difference between polarized and non-polarized sunglasses is important to your eye health.
Here’s what you should know about polarized sunglasses before purchasing your first pair:
Polarized sunglasses and non-polarized sunglasses both protect your eyes from harmful light, but they differ in a few key ways:
Polarized sunglasses have a specific chemical that reflects light (minimizes glare) that non-polarized sunglasses do not.
Polarized sunglasses absorb horizontal light waves but allow vertical waves to travel through, while non-polarized sunglasses do not prevent glare.
Polarized sunglasses are typically darker than non-polarized sunglasses.
Polarized sunglasses tend to be a bit more expensive than non-polarized sunglasses.
Why Buy Polarized Sunglasses Over Non-Polarized Sunglasses?
You should purchase a pair of polarized sunglasses over non-polarized sunglasses if you spend a lot of time on the road or by the water. This is because polarized sunglasses will help to deflect bright glares from surfaces like asphalt and calm water.
Other benefits of polarized sunglasses include:
Polarized eyewear reduces glare and the amount of light that reaches your eyes
You may feel less tired as a result of less eye strain with polarized sunglasses
Polarized sunglasses tend to show crisper, clearer images than non-polarized sunglasses
When to Wear Polarized Sunglasses:
A polarized pair of sunglasses help to reduce glare from highly reflective surfaces.
So, you should wear polarized glasses when you are:
Driving in daylight
Biking
Jogging
Fishing
Boating
Doing other outdoor activities
When to Wear Non-Polarized Sunglasses:
You may choose to wear non-polarized sunglasses if you have trouble reading text on LCD (liquid crystal display) screens (e.g., your phone, car dashboard, watch, ATM machines, etc.).
Because polarized sunglasses can be dark, situations where you should wear non-polarized sunglasses include:
Operating heavy machinery
Driving in low-light situations
Reading
Skiing (polarized sunglasses may make icy patches less noticeable, which can be dangerous for skiers)
Melody Huang is an optometrist and freelance health writer. Through her writing, Dr. Huang enjoys educating patients on how to lead healthier and happier lives. She also has an interest in Eastern medicine practices and learning about integrative medicine. When she’s not working, Dr. Huang loves reviewing new skin care products, trying interesting food recipes, or hanging with her adopted cats.
AnnaMarie’s work as a staff writer for Vision Center spans ophthalmology, optometry and basic optic procedures to preventative eye care. Inspired to help readers see the world more clearly, she writes about everything from finding the appropriate eyeglasses and contacts to treating and preventing eye diseases to getting corrective surgeries to improve vision.
https://www.visioncenter.org/author/annamarie/
Author: AnnaMarie Houlis | UPDATED February 12, 2022
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