Sun Protection- Polarised Lenses

The Advantages of Polarised Lenses: Enhancing Your Vision and Protecting Your Eyes

In our daily lives, we encounter various light sources that can impair our vision.

• e.g Sun reflecting off a wet road,
• the glare from a car's windshield, or
• the shimmering surface of a lake. 

These reflections can be both annoying and potentially hazardous. This is where polarised lenses come to the rescue. Polarised lenses have become increasingly popular due to their ability to reduce glare and enhance visual clarity. 

What Are Polarised Lenses?

Polarised lenses are specialised lenses designed to filter out certain types of light.

Unlike regular sunglasses that simply reduce the amount of light entering the eyes, polarised lenses contain a special filter that blocks intense reflected light, thereby reducing glare.

This makes them particularly effective in situations where glare is a problem, such as driving, boating, or outdoor sports.

Advantages of Polarised Lenses

1. Reduction of Glare The primary advantage of polarised lenses is their ability to drastically reduce glare. Glare occurs when light reflects off horizontal surfaces such as roads, water, or snow, creating a harsh, blinding effect. By blocking these horizontal reflections, polarised lenses provide clearer and more comfortable vision.

2. Enhanced Visual Clarity and Contrast Polarised lenses improve visual clarity and contrast. This means that colours appear more vibrant, and details are more distinct. This is particularly beneficial for activities that require sharp vision, such as driving, fishing, or any outdoor sport. Improved contrast also helps in reducing eye strain, as your eyes don’t have to work as hard to see clearly.

3. Improved Safety Reduced glare and enhanced visual clarity contribute to overall safety, especially when driving. Glare can be dangerous as it reduces visibility and reaction time. Polarised lenses can help drivers see more clearly, thus preventing accidents and ensuring a safer journey.

4. Better Comfort Straining to see in bright, glaring conditions can cause headaches and eye fatigue. Polarised lenses provide more comfortable vision by reducing the need for squinting and straining. This comfort is particularly noticeable during prolonged exposure to bright sunlight.

5. Protection from UV Rays Polarised lenses also offer protection from harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays. Prolonged exposure to UV rays can lead to serious eye conditions such as cataracts and macular degeneration. Investing in polarised lenses with UV protection can safeguard your eyes from these potential dangers.

6. Versatility and Style Polarised lenses are available in a variety of styles and colours, making them suitable for a wide range of activities and fashion preferences. Whether you need them for sports, driving, or simply for casual wear, there are polarised lenses to match your needs and personal style.

Considerations When Choosing Polarised Lenses

While polarised lenses offer numerous advantages, there are a few considerations to keep in mind:

• Cost: Polarised lenses tend to be more expensive than regular lenses due to their specialised nature. However, the benefits they provide often justify the higher price.
• Screen Visibility: Polarised lenses can sometimes make it difficult to see LCD screens, such as those on smartphones, tablets, and car dashboards. This is due to the way polarisation interacts with the light emitted from these screens.
• Not Always Necessary: In certain situations, such as indoor environments or low-light conditions, polarised lenses may not provide significant benefits. It’s important to consider when and where you’ll be using them.