How To Determine If Your Sunglasses Are Polarized

Understanding Polarized Sunglasses

Polarized sunglasses are specially designed eyewear that reduces glare from surfaces like water, glass, and snow. These sunglasses are particularly useful for outdoor activities such as driving, fishing, and skiing. Polarized lenses work by containing a special filter that blocks intense reflected light, thus reducing glare and helping you see better.

Identifying Polarized Sunglasses

You can test whether your sunglasses are polarized using a few simple methods:

1. Polarized Lens Test: Polarized lenses will block the light from an LCD screen when viewed at a particular angle. Take a pair of sunglasses and look at an LCD screen (like a computer monitor or smartphone). As you rotate the glasses, the light from the screen should become blocked at a certain angle.

2. Comparison Test: You can compare the glare from an object with and without the sunglasses. Polarized sunglasses should distinctly reduce the glare.

3. Polarized Glasses Test: If you have a known pair of polarized sunglasses, you can use them to test another pair. Hold one pair in front of the other and look through both lenses simultaneously. As you rotate one pair, at a certain angle the light should become blocked and the lenses will appear dark.

Benefits of Polarized Sunglasses

Aside from reducing glare, polarized sunglasses offer several other benefits:

1. Improved Visual Comfort: By reducing glare, polarized sunglasses can help prevent the discomfort and distraction caused by intense light, making it more comfortable for your eyes.

2. Enhanced Contrast and Clarity: Polarized lenses can improve contrast and clarity of vision, making objects appear more defined and colors more vibrant.

3. Reduced Eyestrain: By reducing glare, polarized sunglasses can help minimize eyestrain from prolonged exposure to sunlight.

4. Improved Safety: For activities like driving or fishing, polarized sunglasses can enhance safety by improving your visual clarity and reducing glare-induced distractions.

Disadvantages of Polarized Sunglasses

Despite their benefits, polarized sunglasses may not be suitable for all situations. For example, it can be harder to see LCD screens, like those on a car dashboard, while wearing polarized sunglasses. Moreover, they may not be appropriate for downhill skiing, as the polarization can make it difficult to distinguish between icy and non-icy surfaces.

Note that while polarized sunglasses provide excellent glare protection, they do not necessarily provide full UV protection. Always ensure your sunglasses offer 100% UV protection to shield your eyes from harmful UV rays.