Polarised Sunglasses

Polarised sunglasses have a unique type of lens coating that has the ability to block blinding glare that no other lens or treatment can achieve. A polarised lens not only provides the important benefit of glare reduction, but also enhances visual acuity, colour contrast and visual comfort.

Polarised lenses provide full protection against harmful UVA and UVB light, helping to prevent damage to the eyes. Whether spending time at the beach, driving on a sunny day or out on the water, we have all experienced the discomfort and annoyance of glare. However, in certain situations, such as driving a vehicle, glare can be downright dangerous. Unlike ordinary tinted sunglasses, which only reduce the amount of ambient light that reaches the eye, polarised lenses can effectively block out dangerous and blinding glare by filtering out horizontally polarised light waves. This makes polarised lenses a highly effective choice for anyone looking to improve their vision and protect their eyes from the sun's harmful rays.

How Do Polarised Lenses Work?

When light waves bounce off a surface, they become polarised, with their direction of oscillation aligned either horizontally, vertically, or diagonally. Polarised lenses are designed to filter out horizontally polarised light waves, which are the most common type of polarised light waves associated with glare.

Polarised lenses contain millions of parallel rows of tiny iodine crystals or dichroic dyes that act like miniature Venetian blinds, blocking out horizontally polarised light waves while allowing vertically polarised light waves to pass through. This reduces the amount of glare that reaches the eyes, resulting in more comfortable and clearer vision.

While polarised lenses are highly effective at reducing glare, they can also block some of the light passing through the lens, which can reduce brightness - making them ideal to wear as sunglasses. However, this does not interfere with the ability to see clearly, with the reduction in glare and brightness actually improving visual comfort and clarity, especially in bright outdoor settings.

When Should You Wear Polarised Lenses?

Polarised lenses are particularly useful in activities such as:

• Driving: polarised lenses can reduce the glare from the sun reflecting off of the road, other cars, or other shiny surfaces, which can make it easier to see and drive safely.
• Water sports: polarised lenses can help reduce the glare from the water, allowing you to see clearly and avoid hazards such as rocks or other obstacles.
• Outdoor activities: whether you're hiking, fishing, or just spending time outside, polarised lenses can help reduce glare from the sun, making it more comfortable to be outdoors.
• Snow sports: polarised lenses can help reduce the glare from the sun reflecting off the snow, which can make it easier to see and navigate while skiing or snowboarding.