(And When You Shouldn’t Use Them)

Polarised lenses are designed to cut glare from reflective surfaces like water, roads and snow. They don’t automatically provide more UV protection than standard sun lenses (UV protection comes from the lens material/coatings), but they can deliver a noticeably clearer, more comfortable visual experience in the right conditions.

If you’ve searched “what are polarised lenses good for?”, this guide gives you the straight answer: when they help, when they don’t, and who should choose them.

Quick Answer: What Are Polarised Lenses Good For?

• Reducing glare from water, roads, glass, sand and snow
• Improving clarity and visual comfort in bright conditions
• Helping you see more detail when reflections hide what’s underneath (especially on water)
• Reducing eye strain during long outdoor days (driving, boating, sport)

They’re most useful when you’re around reflective surfaces. They’re less ideal when you rely on screens (phone, car displays) or in low-light situations.

What Are Polarised Lenses?

Polarised lenses include a special filter that blocks horizontally reflected light, the light responsible for harsh glare. That’s why reflections off water or roads can feel blinding, and why polarisation can feel like an instant upgrade outdoors.

Important: Polarisation is not the same as UV protection. UV protection comes from the lens material and coatings. You can learn more about lens technology on our Our Lenses page.

This is a common misconception; polarised lenses do not protect your eyes more than standard lenses. Proper UV protection depends on lens material and UV-filtering technology, not polarisation.

What Polarised Lenses Help With (Real Benefits)

Here’s what most people actually notice when they switch to polarised sunglasses:

• Less glare = less squinting and discomfort
• Better contrast in strong sunlight
• Clearer vision when reflections wash out detail
• Less visual fatigue after long days outside

If you spend a lot of time outdoors, polarisation can be the difference between “tolerable” sunglasses and sunglasses you genuinely want to wear all day.

Best Uses: When Polarised Sunglasses Are Worth It

1) Water activities (boating, sailing, fishing)

Water is one of the most reflective environments you can be in. Polarised lenses reduce glare off the surface, helping you see more comfortably and (in many cases) more clearly. If you’re on the water for hours, polarisation is one of the most valuable lens upgrades.

Best for: boating, sailing, fishing, beach days

2) Driving and commuting

Glare from roads, car bonnets and glass can make driving uncomfortable — especially when the sun is low. Polarised sunglasses reduce reflected glare and improve comfort, which can help with long commutes and bright conditions.

Best for: daily driving, commuting, road trips

3) Snow and high-glare environments

Snow can reflect a very high percentage of sunlight, creating intense glare and eye fatigue. Polarised lenses reduce this glare and can make snow days more comfortable and visually manageable.

Best for: skiing, snowboarding, alpine travel

4) Outdoor sport

For sports like golf, tennis and cricket, glare can affect depth perception and tracking. Polarisation can improve comfort and clarity in bright conditions, especially on open fields and reflective surfaces.

Best for: golf, tennis, cricket, outdoor training

When Should You Not Use Polarised Lenses?

Polarised lenses are brilliant in the right setting — but they’re not perfect for every situation.

• When you need to see LCD screens clearly: polarised lenses can reduce visibility on some phone screens, car dashboards, GPS units, and aircraft instrument panels.
• In low light or changing light: polarised lenses can reduce the amount of visible light reaching your eyes, making them less ideal at dusk, dawn, or heavily overcast conditions if you still want sunglasses on.
• When spotting ice patches: in certain snow/ice scenarios, polarisation can reduce reflected cues that help identify slippery patches (context-dependent).

If you spend most of your day switching between screens and outdoors, you might prefer a high-quality non-polarised lens (or keep polarised as your “outdoor/road trip” pair).

Are Polarised Lenses Better for Your Eyes?

Polarised lenses aren’t inherently “healthier” than non-polarised lenses; UV protection is what matters most for long-term eye health.

Where polarised lenses can help is comfort: less glare often means less squinting and less eye strain, especially during long outdoor exposure.

Why Are Some High-End Sunglasses Not Polarised?

There are a few legitimate reasons some premium sunglasses aren’t polarised:

• Colour accuracy preference: some users prefer the look of a high-end non-polarised lens tint.
• Fashion-first design: some brands prioritise style and margins over optical performance.
• Intended use: if the product is designed for city wear, screens, or mixed light, a premium non-polarised lens may be the better daily choice.

Bottom line: polarisation is a feature, not a universal requirement. The “best” lens depends on your lifestyle.

Is It Worth Getting Polarised Lenses?

If you drive a lot, spend time on water, travel in snow, or hate glare, polarised lenses are usually worth it.

If you’re mostly indoors, on screens, or wearing sunglasses only briefly, you may be perfectly happy with a premium non-polarised lens (as long as it has proper UV400 protection).

For many people, the best setup is simple:

• One everyday pair (premium non-polarised for mixed use), and
• One polarised pair for driving, holidays, and high-glare environments.

Shop AM Eyewear Polarised Sunglasses

AM Eyewear offers polarised lenses in select styles designed for clarity and outdoor comfort.

• Shop Polarised Sunglasses
• Explore Our Lens Technology

Looking for the right pair of sunglasses? Explore the Current Collection to find frames engineered for clarity, comfort and everyday wear.