Are Polarised Sunglasses worth the hype?

Do you wear sunglasses?

If you care about your eyes as much as you do about your skin, you probably do.

Having a pair of designer sunglasses always feels great. They are useful, protect our eyes from the UV rays and have a fashion appeal that is perfect to make a style statement.

But, when you are out in the sun and have your shades on, do you know what exactly they are doing for your eyes?

I mean, are they just blocking the UV rays or doing a little extra? You would know the answer if you know whether your sunglasses are polarised or non-polarised.

Polarised vs Non-Polarised Sunglasses

Both polarised and non-polarised sunglasses are effective against blocking UVA and UVB lights, but that is the only similarity they have. Choosing the right pair of shades is enough of a debate and now you know that there are two different types as well.

Don’t worry! I will help you figure out how to differentiate between these two most popular types of shades.

There are two main dissimilarities between polarised sunglasses and non-polarised ones. Find them below:

Eliminate glare

The ability to protect from glare is what sets polarised sunglasses apart and at a higher level than non-polarised glasses. Polarised lenses have a special coating on them that provides anti-blur anti-glare protection giving you a clearer vision even in the sun.

This glare can also result in irritation or blinding sometimes depending on the sensitivity of your eyes and the situation. If you have sensitive eyes, you should go for polarised lenses to get an added layer of protection from the glare reflecting from the shiny surfaces.

Clear vision

When the sunlight hits a reflective surface, it reflects off and causes glare. It can keep you from seeing the true colour of the objects and makes it hard to differentiate among them. This is why polarised lenses can be useful in some sports (especially outdoors) and activities like driving where you need a clearer vision.

How do polarised lenses work?

These lenses are available in a variety of colours that depend on the lens’ material. Darker polarised shades provide a higher level of protection from glare.

Sunlight that is absorbed and reflected from the horizontal surfaces such as land and water usually gets reflected back in the same direction. As a result from this reflection, you will experience glare that is not only visually discomforting and can be dangerous in some situations like when you are driving.

Polarised lenses have a chemical film on them that only let in vertically reflected light and blocks horizontally reflected light eliminating the glare. These lenses are available in some common colours such as gray or brown and some fresh colours such as green or yellow.

How to tell if your shades are polarised?

You cannot spot the between polarised and non-polarised lenses just by looking at them. It is only when you are wearing them in the sun that you will be able to tell whether they are polarised or not.

Do this quick test in the sun: Put on your glasses and look upward at the sun, what do you see? If you experience a non blurry view, your sunglasses most likely have polarised lenses in them.

Also, the light can also reflect off the road and windshield when you’re driving causing you to squint your eyes. Have you been there too? If yes, then your sunglasses lack the extra functions of polarised lenses.

Not only in the summer, polarised sunglasses are extremely helpful in the winter too. When you are all set for skating in the snow, the bright sun reflecting from the snow can make the entire experience somewhat unpleasant for you. Wearing sunglasses with a polarised film, you will have protection against the UV rays while you are enjoying your day in the snow.

Are polarised lenses worth it?

If I have to put forward a convincing case for polarised glasses, I would say that they bring more to the table than your normal sunglasses. They are apt for visual performance and if you are outdoorsy, having these shades is only going to help you.

Glare is annoying and squinting is unpleasant. This is why polarised shades are my all time favourite when I am stepping out in the sun.

Whether you go for polarised sunglasses or non-polarised shades, the choice should be yours. If you are into watersports or if you are a driver, using polarised glasses will help you steer clear of any accidents caused from the glare.

Many people are more inclined towards polarised lenses due to their added features making them a popular pick among sunglasses for men. If you can’t fix your mind on which one to buy, you could always have both of them. Remember, the more, the better is the norm in sunglasses.