Key Takeaways
- Polarized lenses filter harsh light bouncing off flat surfaces.
- You can use a digital screen or shiny object to test your glasses for polarization.
- UV protection filters harmful sun rays to keep your eyes safe and comfortable.
- A local eye doctor in Wainwright can help you find sunglasses that fit your face and lifestyle.
You probably know the feeling of driving on a bright afternoon and having to squint against the blinding sunlight bouncing off the pavement. Our team at Prairie Vision understands how uncomfortable this can be, and wants you to understand the difference between regular tinted glasses and polarized ones.
You can check whether your sunglasses are polarized or not by looking at a digital screen, tilting your head while looking at a shiny surface, or having an eye doctor test them. If they aren’t polarized, our team would love to help you find a pair of sunglasses that can protect your eyes and filter through glare.
The Basics of Polarized Lenses
What Polarization Means
Sunlight bounces off flat surfaces like lakes, snowy fields, or pavement in a concentrated horizontal direction, which can create a glare that makes it hard to see. Polarized lenses feature a special filter that blocks this harsh, horizontal light.
You could compare this filter to a tiny window blind on your sunglasses because it only lets vertical light pass through to your vision. Without that harsh glare, some people notice that their vision feels more defined, especially if you’re spending time on the lake or driving.
You can always ask an eye doctor in Wainwright for advice about your current frames.
Everyday Benefits of Polarized Glasses
Reduced Sun Strain
Spending time outdoors on a bright day can bring uncomfortable physical reactions because your eyes are working very hard to block intense light. You might notice a few common issues:
- Excessive squinting while outside
- Headaches after spending time outdoors
- Eye fatigue from dealing with constant bright light
These symptoms might be a sign that your eyes are struggling to process bright environments. Polarization can help reduce this stress so your eyes can relax.
Visual Improvements
A good pair of sunglasses with polarized lenses can change how you view your surroundings. With these sunglasses, you might notice that your vision feels clearer. It’s important to know that it’s not because the polarization itself has a prescription: Instead, the polarization reduces glare, giving the appearance of clearer sight.
Some people feel that colours appear richer or more vivid when glare is reduced. This is because the filter creates a high contrast between light and dark areas around you, so the sky may look bluer and the trees greener because there isn’t glare to get in the way.
Ways to Check If Your Lenses Are Polarized
The Tilt Test
You can perform a quick test at home to see if your current frames feature a polarized filter. Find a shiny surface like a car hood or a calm pond on a bright day to start the process.
Here’s how to perform the tilt test:
- Look at a reflective surface
- Tilt your head to the side
- Watch to see if the view darkens
If the brightness changes as you move your head, your lenses may be polarized. If the glare looks the same at each angle, your glasses likely aren’t polarized. This is because the filter works as it should from 1 main angle.
The Screen Test
Your computer monitor or television can provide another easy way to check your lenses indoors. Most digital displays these days use internal polarization to create the images you see on the screen.
Here’s how to perform the screen test:
- Look at a digital screen wearing the sunglasses
- Turn your head sideways
- See if the screen goes dark
When 2 polarized filters (the sunglasses and the digital screen) overlap at the right angle, almost no light can pass through, so the screen may appear significantly darker or even nearly black at certain angles. If you can still see just fine, your lenses likely aren’t polarized.
The Difference Between Polarization and UV Protection
Separate Features
Many people confuse glare reduction with sun protection, but these are actually 2 completely separate functions of your sunglasses. Polarization only reduces glare to make your vision comfortable, it doesn’t necessarily provide UV protection.
Proper UV protection should block 100% of UVB and UVA rays. This invisible shield helps protect your vision over time, and sunglasses can have 1 or both of these features depending on how they were made.
Risks of Sun Exposure
Walking outside without UV protection leaves your eyes exposed to invisible UV rays, which can cause uncomfortable short-term symptoms and even an eye sunburn.
But in the long term, UV exposure can increase your risks of eye issues later in life, like cataracts and age-related macular degeneration. Finding a pair of sunglasses with both glare reduction and quality UV protection helps keep your eyes safe and comfortable.
Vision Care for Your Family
Protecting your vision starts with the right tools for your specific lifestyle. We have 2 locations in Vermilion and Wainwright, so you can ask our team about an option that works for you wherever is most convenient for your family.
Book Your Next Visit
At Prairie Vision, we believe that protecting your long-term eye health starts with clear information and regular eye exams to help us detect any issues early. Whether you’re looking for polarized lenses for your next fishing trip or it’s just time for your next routine visit, we can help you decide what works for you. Schedule an appointment with our team in Wainwright and Vermilion today!
