Whether it be protecting your eyes from harmful UV rays, dust, or even insects, sunglasses play an essential role in the protection of your eyes. On the other hand, they are also one of the accessories that helps you to achieve stylish looks.
Among the different types of sunglasses available, polarized sunglasses are the ones that help to improve visibility in bright conditions. But how does polarized sunglasses do it? To find out the answer to this question, in this blog, we will be discussing in depth how polarized sunglasses work. Let’s begin,
What are Polarized Sunglasses?
When light falls on an uneven surface it scatters and reflects on multiple angles. On the other hand, when it falls on even smooth surfaces such as flat metal sheets or stagnant water it reflects on a single angle. The reflection of such light on your eyes is known as glare.
These glares or direct reflections of light on the eyes can reduce visibility while performing outdoor activities such as driving. This is where the polarized sunglasses come into action.
Polarized sunglasses are a type of sunglasses that helps reduce glare ultimately improving unclear visibility caused by direct reflection of light. It helps to reduce concentrated and intense light reflected from surfaces such as water, snow, and roads.
How Polarized Sunglasses Work?
Now that we know what polarized sunglasses are, let’s move ahead toward finding how polarized sunglasses work.
Polarized sunglasses make it possible to reduce glare by blocking horizontally polarized light waves. When light falls on a smooth surface such as stagnant water, snow, or road, it gets horizontally polarized. This means the light aligns horizontally creating intense reflection known as glare.
A polarized glass consists of a special chemical that helps with the filtering of light. The most common chemical used for this is called polarizing film. This film contains molecules that can be aligned in a specific direction.
In polarized sunglasses, the polarizing film is applied to the lenses in a vertical pattern. This allows only vertically polarized light to pass through the lenses. Thus, effectively blocking horizontally polarized light that causes glare from surfaces such as water, snow, or roads.
How to Check If Sunglasses Are Polarized?
Properly polarized sunglasses can effectively reduce glare improving visibility. However, it can be quite confusing to find perfectly polarized glasses between several sunglasses available in the market. So, to help you out, in this section, we will be discussing how to check if sunglasses are polarized.
Here are a few things you can do to find out whether your sunglasses are polarized or not,
Check Labels and Test Cards: Look for sunglasses with labels or stickers that say “Polarized”. Also, you can use polarized test cards that are offered by retailers. These test cards usually have patterns that change or disappear when viewed through polarized sunglasses.
Look at LCD screens: Polarized sunglasses can interfere with LCD screens, such as screens of TV’s and laptops. Rotate the polarized sunglasses keeping them in front of an LCD screen. If the screen appears dim or blacked out at certain angles then polarized sunglasses work.
Glare reduction check: One of the most effective ways to check whether a glass is polarized or not is through a glare reduction check. For this, you can look into reflective surfaces such as stagnant water or roads. If you find a reduction in glare when compared to an open eye, your sunglasses are polarized.
Benefits of Polarized Sunglasses
So far we have gone through polarized sunglasses, understanding how polarized sunglasses work and ways to check them. Now, let’s just have a quick look at the benefits of polarized sunglasses.
Reduced Glare
The primary benefit of polarized sunglasses comes with the reduction of glare. Polarized sunglasses are designed to reduce glare that results from the direct reflection of light from things such as stagnant water and snow. This helps in improving visibility and reducing eye strain during activities such as fishing, driving, and skiing.
Increased Visibility, Contrast, and Clarity
Polarised sunglasses by eliminating glare and harsh reflections help in increased visibility during bright sunlight. In addition, these also help with enhancing contrast and clarity making objects appear more sharper and vibrant.
UV Protection
Many of the polarised sunglasses offer UV protection in addition to the elimination of glare. UV protection helps to block harmful UVA and UVB rays from the sun. This ultimately helps with protection from eye conditions such as cataracts.
Versatility
Polarized sunglasses can be used for multiple events. Whether it be fishing, driving, boating, or skiing, you can use polarized sunglasses for various outdoor activities. Polarized sunglasses can be suitable for both sports and casual use.
Style and Fashion
Besides its primary function to reduce glare ultimately improving visibility and clarity, polarized sunglasses offer a stylish look. You can find polarized glasses in various styles and designs making them one of the most fashionable accessories that complements almost every outfit.
Conclusion
When it comes to helping you achieve improved visibility during bright sunny days, polarized sunglasses are the ones that come to the rescue. Polarized sunglasses are sunglasses that help to reduce glare and enhance visibility in situations with high brightness.
Polarized sunglasses work primarily by blocking horizontally polarized light waves. It consists of a layer of special chemicals known as polarizing film which are applied in the sunglasses in a vertical pattern. This makes it impossible for the horizontally polarized light that causes glare to enter through the sunglasses.
To figure out whether a sunglass is polarized or not, there are a few things you can perform. This includes checking labels and test cards, looking at LCD screens, and finally checking for glare reduction. In addition to getting rid of glare and improving visibility, polarized sunglasses also help you achieve a stylish look.
