What are Polarised lenses and when are they needed?
Polarised Lenses in sunglasses are a special type of lens that can be quite useful and are recommended for certain situations or environments - even though they don’t necessarily offer a better UV Protection than standard sun lenses.
Polarised lenses are made with a special filter that blocks out horizontal light waves, reducing glare, and enhancing clarity. As a result, this makes them especially helpful for outdoor activities where reflective surfaces, such as water and snow, can impair vision and possibly pose a safety risk.
When are Polarised Lenses Needed?
There are many situations where polarised lenses are recommended - here are some common scenarios:
- Water Activities: Polarised sunglasses can significantly enhance your visual experience if you want to spend time on the water. Due to the strong glare caused when the sunlight reflects off the water, it can be difficult to see while performing water activities such as boating, sailing and fishing, especially when exposed to this environment for an extended period of time.
- Driving: Driving in the sun can be challenging, particularly when the sun is low on the horizon - this makes it difficult to see other cars, pedestrians, or obstructions due to the glare from the road and other reflecting surfaces. Polarised sunglasses can enhance contrast and reduce glare, increasing visibility and promoting safety while driving.
- Snow Activities: Polarised sunglasses are a must if you intend to spend time in snowy environments. Up to 80% of sunlight is reflected by snow, generating an intense glare which makes it uncomfortable and difficult to see. This glare may be reduced and your eyesight might be improved with polarised lenses and make a day in the snow a much more enjoyable experience.
- Outdoor Sports: Polarised lenses can significantly improve your performance if you enjoy practising outdoor sports. The brightness from the sun and the glare caused by it can impair your depth perception and make it more difficult to track moving objects when you’re playing sports like cricket, golf, or tennis. Polarised sunglasses can increase contrast and reduce glare, promoting comfort and improving performance.
What are the disadvantages of Polarised Lenses?
While polarised sunglasses may be very useful in many circumstances, there are some disadvantages for this type of lens. The main issue, which affects everyone in our modern society, is that they decrease the visibility of LCD screens. They make it difficult to see the screen on smartphones, computers and other gadgets and appliances in general, which can be a nuisance for everyday life. Polarised lenses also lower the amount of light that reaches your eyes, so they are less effective in lower light times of the day when you would usually still keep your sunglasses on.
In conclusion, Polarised lenses are a great choice for anybody who spends time outdoors, especially in conditions where glare can impair vision and cause discomfort to the eyes. Polarised sunglasses may significantly improve your visual experience and make it easier for you to see properly whether boating, driving, playing sports, or participating in winter activities. WIth that said, they don’t offer more UV protection than standard sunglass lenses, but they will offer a different experience.
Always having as part of the brand ethos to offer the best optical experience to their customers, Australian sunglasses brand AM Eyewear offers polarised lenses in a range of styles such as the Lukie, Lukie Large, Tommy, Tommy Large and Nick.
Shop AM Eyewear Polarised Sunglasses.
