How Do Polarized Sunglasses Work?
Specifically engineered to eliminate glare, Polarized Sunglasses are more than just the aesthetics. They are highly functional protective eyewear that is capable of giving you a much clearer and more comfortable vision in bright environments. But how do Polarized Sunglasses work?
To put it simply, polarized sunglasses work by blocking horizontal light waves, which are responsible for glares that could disrupt vision and cause eye discomfort in prolonged exposure.
The sophisticated functionality of polarized eyewear is owed to their design, specifically, the vertically aligned optical filters that would only allow useful lights or vertical lights to pass through them.
This is the reason why you don't see glares or bright light whenever you're sporting one. Are you curious about Polarized Sunglasses and why they’ve become a must-have for both style and performance? You’re in the right place.
In this blog post, we at Vintage Eyewear will be taking you through the basics that you need to know about Polarized Sunglasses. Let us help you find the perfect pair that not only protects your eyes but complements your personal aesthetic.
What Are Polarized Lenses?
Did you know that polarized lenses are a modern human invention? To be specific, these highly functional lenses were developed by Edwin H. Land in 1936. He was responsible for the invention of polarized lenses when he was able to develop the first known synthetic polarizing filter by utilizing a material he called “polaroid.”
This scientific invention was intended to be made for cameras and scientific equipment, but things went even further when his innovation found its way into the eyewear industry.
The potential of polarized eyewear at that time was so high that he was able to have a strong collaborative network with various eyewear companies, such as Ray-Ban, to create sunglasses that have the ability to dramatically reduce glare.
By the 1940s, the rise of polarized sunglasses was unstoppable as it was associated with both high-performance and elevated styles that were loved by men who loved outdoor activities, such as athletes and celebrities, specifically Hollywood’s finest actors.
Fast forward to the present time, polarized sunglasses are now one of the staple eyewear in both luxury and sport-specific eyewear designs.
Proving that innovation and style can go hand in hand. Even at Vintage Eyewear, our most sought-after designer eyewear is comprised of vintage frames with polarized lenses.
What Do Polarized Lenses Do?
Polarized sunglasses are indeed incomparable to just any sunglasses. Though they are always compared with regular tinted eyeglasses, what makes them even better than the latter is how they were made with a special chemical film that has a more efficient ability to filter light waves.
In essence, polarized sunglasses are particularly effective against horizontal glares, which are common from outdoor surfaces such as bodies of water, roads, and even snow.
As we all know, exposure to glare for an extended period of time will reduce clarity and cause visual discomfort. By blocking horizontal lights, which are primarily caused by glare, these lenses could provide clearer vision and a much better contrast.
Benefits of Polarized Sunglasses
Whether you are up for a sailing escapade, a professional skier, or someone who's simply up for an early morning drive, here are some of the key benefits of using polarized eyewear:
1. Reduced glare
Reducing glare is the most significant benefit of polarized sunglasses and is also the main reason why polarized glasses became a hit in eyewear in the 1940s. During that time, no other type of lens came near its capacity of reducing glare.
2. Better contrast and color perception
Other than reducing glare efficiently, improving color perception, and enhancing contrast, polarized eyewear is also known for. This unique ability of polarized lenses makes them a great choice when doing outdoor activities, especially fishing, as you can spot objects below the water.
3. Enhanced visual clarity and sharpness
With polarized lenses, saying goodbye to washed-out images and hello to high-definition vision is highly possible! Achieve much clearer and sharper details with polarized sunglasses.
And allow yourself to see the world with better precision and depth compared to other types of tinted glasses.
4. Reduced eye strain and fatigue
The reason why polarized sunglasses are staples for athletes and men, in particular, is due to the fact that constant exposure to glare forces the human eyes to work much harder. When our eyes are forced to do this, prolonged exposure will lead to discomfort and fatigue.
With a polarized lens, the glare exposure will be less, even in prolonged exposure.
5. UV protection
Polarized sunglasses are the product of the marriage between luxury and functionality. Polarized glasses not only reduce glare but are also capable of providing 100% ultraviolet (UV) ray protection.
6. Improved safety
Polarized sunglasses reduce glare and generally improve the vision experience, and they are a precautionary measure for safer driving and other outdoor activities.
Limitations of Polarized Sunglasses
Like any other type of eyewear, polarized lenses also have their own set of drawbacks. The most significant limitation of polarized sunglasses is the difficulty of seeing LCD screens when you wear them.
LCD screens, such as those on car dashboards, computers, and even mobile devices, are gadgets that are part of our everyday lives. This is the mere reason why some pilots prefer to wear non-polarized tinted lenses.
How to Test If Your Sunglasses Are Polarized
There are various ways that you can check if your sunglasses are polarized or non-polarized. An old trick, and obviously the simplest test, that you can even do in the comfort of your own home is to hold your sunglasses in front of an LCD screen.
After placing them in front of an LCD screen, simply rotate them 90 degrees. If the lenses of your glasses darken significantly, then they are probably polarized.
Polarized vs. Non-Polarized Sunglasses
We all know that every pair of sunglasses, polarized and non-polarized, is capable of reducing the overall brightness of your surroundings. However, what makes polarized sunglasses better than non-polarized ones is their ability to improve your visual experience by completely eliminating glare.
Unlike non-polarized lenses, the amount of glare and brightness that they block is very minimal.
How to Choose the Best Polarized Sunglasses for Your Needs
When choosing the perfect pair of polarized eyewear, always consider factors such as the quality of the lens material, frame style, and, of course, how you intend to use the eyewear.
At Vintage Eyewear, we have meticulously curated an exclusive collection of vintage high-end polarized sunglasses from iconic brands like Dior, Tiffany, and Buggati, to name a few. We also have modern luxury vintage-style polarized frames from Andre Montana that are highly customizable.
Our team of experts is a click away to help you find the polarized sunglasses that are perfect for your fashion sense and vision needs.
When Not to Use Polarized Sunglasses
As advanced as polarized lenses are, they are not a one-size-fits-all solution. Basically, they are not ideal for every situation and are definitely not made for everyday use. As already stated, polarized sunglasses are more disastrous than disadvantageous for pilots.
Despite their need for protection against glare, pilots need better vision in reading notifications and warnings on cockpit instrument panels that have LCD displays.
Do Polarized Sunglasses Protect Your Eyes Better?
Indeed! Sporting a pair of polarized lenses fundamentally reduces the risk of cataracts and other eye-related issues that can be acquired from prolonged glare exposure and the harsh effects of ultraviolet (UV) rays.
If you're an outdoor enthusiast or just someone who spends most of your day outside, investing in quality and premium polarized eyewear should be one of your top priorities! Polarized eyewear will provide you with better eye health and, of course, premier visual comfort that will make you more efficient in whatever you do.
Check out our collection now and shop in our polarized sunglasses collection!
Elevate Your Style and Vision with Vintage Eyewear’s Polarized Sunglasses
Now that you know what polarized lenses are and how polarized sunglasses work, it is time for you to get one! At Vintage Eyewear, you are assured that luxury is always coupled with performance.
Our meticulously curated collection of polarized sunglasses offers the perfect fusion of timeless style and top-notch functionality. After learning everything about polarized sunglasses, you should know by now that they are not only summer essentials but an iconic fashion statement of sophistication and optical innovation.
Explore our collection today; shop now!