Sunny Days, Healthy Eyes: Discovering the Magic of Polarized Sunglasses

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Sunglasses are a staple accessory, whether to shield your eyes or wearing them as a fashion statement. The problem with regular sunglasses, however, is that while they shelter your eyes from ultraviolet (UV) rays, they won’t keep out the glare of the sun. Not having proper eye protection can be dangerous: in the United States alone, 3,000 car crashes a year are attributed to impaired vision caused by the sun’s glare.

The solution to this problem is polarized sunglasses. These are a special type of sunglasses that can guard you against both UV light and sun glare while simultaneously adorning you in style. Here’s everything you need to know about them.

What are polarized sunglasses?

Light doesn’t simply shoot to the place its source points it to. It bounces, usually on reflective surfaces. Polarized sunglasses protect you from both UV rays and light glares. Their lenses have a special chemical film that orients them into a vertical pattern to block horizontal light. This safeguards your eyes from stray and potentially harmful light beams.

What should you look for in polarized sunglasses?

Not all polarized sunglasses are created equally. Several factors affect their caliber, and you need to consider them before purchasing a pair. One such factor is the quality of the lenses—the best ones are optical grade and consist of CR-39 or mineral glass. Another is the layout of the polarizing film. Low-quality sunglasses have film plastered on the surface, making them vulnerable to scratches. On the other hand, high-quality sunglasses place this chemical film between two layers of lenses for perfect alignment. High-quality sunglasses will also have hydrophobic and oleophobic coatings, making them water- and oil-resistant.

To gauge the quality of your polarized sunglasses, use the fingertip test. Press your fingertip on the surface of the lens. A low-quality lens will deflect under pressure and distort the polarized film, whereas a high-quality lens will remain unaffected. You can also tap your fingernail against the lens. A low-quality lens will emit a dull thud, while a high-quality lens will ring out like glass.

Choosing the best polarized sunglasses for your needs

There are specific situations when polarized sunglasses are especially handy. When you’re driving, for instance, UV rays can hurt your eyes, and hot weather can create confusing mirroring effects. In these cases, using the iconic Ray-Ban Aviators can reduce the glare of both sun and car and guarantee up to 100% UV protection. You’ll also look very classy wearing them.

If you’re a runner, you’ll want to use the Tifosi Swank XL RX. They have all the features of high-quality polarized lenses, plus are made of Grilamid TR-90, which ensures exceptional transparency. They also have sweat-resistant hydrophilic nose pads. On the other hand, choose polarized sunglasses that have the ability to let you look through the water if you want to partake in activities like fishing. The gold standard here is the Oakley Split Shot, which has PRIZM lens technology that manipulates the light spectrum and boosts color contrasts.

When you should (and shouldn’t) wear polarized sunglasses

In addition to the above activities, polarized sunglasses are great for water sports, golfing, and high-glare activities. Polarized sunglasses, however, cause some visual disorientation. They interfere with depth perception, which can block you from communicating with car drivers if you’re a cyclist. You also shouldn’t use polarized sunglasses while working with digital displays, as the lenses will make screens appear wavy. As such, it’s not feasible for use on-the-job by airplane pilots and those in similar careers.

Polarized sunglasses are extremely useful in protecting your eyes and come in various designs suitable to your purposes.

Who knows, you might even find polarizing sunglasses to be one of the perfect gifts for an entrepreneur, joined by the 12 we covered in The Balanced CEO gift guide.