What Are the Benefits of Polarized Sunglasses?

Polarized sunglasses always have been very popular among people who spend a lot of time near water. And for good reason — polarized lenses block glare from light reflecting off the surface of the water better than any other types of sunglass lenses.

But sunglasses aren't just for people who love boating, fishing or going to the beach. Anyone who is bothered by glare outdoors can benefit from these advanced sunglass lenses.

Polarized sunglasses can be helpful for driving, too, because they reduce glare-causing reflections from flat surfaces, such as the hoods of vehicles and light-colored pavement.

Some light-sensitive people, including someone who has had cataract surgery, also will benefit from polarized sunglasses.

Advantages of polarized lenses

clearer vision, especially in bright light
increased contrast and minimal color distortion
reduced glare and reflection
reduced eyestrain

These advantages make polarized lenses great for sunglasses. They’re perfect for anyone who spends a lot of time outdoors, and they can help improve your vision in high-glare situations.

However, because the polarized coating also darkens the lens, polarized lenses aren’t available for regular reading glasses.

Disadvantages of polarized lenses

While polarized lenses are great for protecting your eyes from bright light and reducing glare, there are some drawbacks.

POLARIZED LENSES AREN’T GOOD FOR…

looking at LCD screens
flying
low-light situations and driving at night
people whose sight may be sensitive to how the lenses change lighting

Polarized lenses can make it difficult to see LCD screens. If it’s important to be able to see a dashboard or screen for safety or convenience reasons, polarized lenses may not be the best option for you.

Plus, they can also react negatively to certain tints on windshields, which means they aren’t always the best choice for driving.

Be careful about claims about the benefits of wearing polarized or tinted lenses at night. Polarized lenses are sometimes suitable for driving during the day, but wearing them at night can be dangerous.

The darkened lens makes it harder to see in low-light situations, which can be made worse if you already have trouble seeing at night.

If you’re not sure whether you should try polarized lenses, try talking to an eye doctor about which type of protective sunglasses are best for you and your eyes.

Alternatives to polarized lenses

Some people may find polarized glasses uncomfortable or may be unable to wear them due to their work. If you can’t wear polarized lenses for whatever reason, there are alternatives available:

Anti-reflective coating is available for sunglasses and reading glasses.
Mirrored sunglasses help decrease how much light enters your eyes.
Photochromic lenses automatically darken when exposed to a certain amount of light.

The takeaway

Polarized lenses are a great option for anyone who is spending a lot of time outdoors. Not only do they reduce bright reflection and unwanted glare, polarized lenses also help improve vision clarity in bright situations.

Remember, polarized sunglasses won’t protect you from staring directly at the sun. You should always take precautions to protect your eyes from harmful UV light, even when it’s not particularly bright outside.

When you’re shopping for sunglasses, don’t just consider appearance. Polarized lenses are one of a handful of sunglass options that you have to keep your eyes healthy in sunlight..

Try them today

The first step to getting the best vision possible with polarized sunglasses is to schedule an eye exam.