A Guide To Finding The Right Pair Of Polarized and Non Polarized Sunglasses

When it comes to finding and buying the right pair of sunglasses, the first and most important thing you should look for is whether or not that pair of sunglasses is polarized. Most sunglasses can be broken down into two categories: polarized or non polarized sunglasses—which all comes down to how they impact your eyesight while you are out in the sun.

Most people assume that the biggest difference between polarized and non-polarized sunglasses is the price. It is true, that typically polarized sunglass shades are more expensive than their non polarized counterparts. But why? There are a few different things to understand first about these types of lenses, and the more that you understand about polarized vs. unpolarized lenses, the better prepared you will be to determine which type of sunglasses are the right types of sunglasses for you.

What Does “Polarized Sunglasses” Mean?

When you are shopping for sunglasses and notice they say they are “polarized” on the label, chances are theses sunglasses will be slightly more expensive than non-polarized pairs. But why is this? What are you paying for when you pay for polarized sunglasses? When a pair of summertime sunglasses are polarized on the lenses then it means that these lenses have been treated with a special coating that gives them two advanced features: enhanced anti-blur features and enhanced anti-haze protection.

These two features allow you to see even clearer in the bright sun, so your vision isn’t distorted when you are trying to drive or see in really bright conditions. The coating is what makes these lenses so effective and what helps everyone from cautious drivers to hikers in the wilderness and premier athletes make sure that they can always see as clear as possible when they are wearing their sunglasses. This is why you will typically see polarized lenses on higher-end sunglass products and those meant for outdoor sports and adventures.

About Polarized Lenses

If you are not super familiar with polarized lenses, then there are a few basic facts you need to understand first, including how exactly the polarizing aspect of the lenses work. Polarized lenses filter out light horizontally from the lenses and away from your eyes. While sunlight can hit your eye and be filtered away at virtually any direction imaginable, the horizontal, polarized filtering is particularly important because horizontal light is the more problematic when it comes to glare.

Horizontal light can cause serious glare on certain surfaces when it reflects off of them, and while sometimes this glare can be hardly noticeable—in other situations it can make it nearly impossible to see and dangerous for the individual. With the horizontal light filtering capabilities of polarized lenses—you don’t have to worry about this type of glare.

How to Tell the Difference

Difference between polarized and non-polarized sunglasses

Typically, when you are shopping for new sunglasses, there will be plenty of signs and stickers letting you know if a pair of sunglasses is polarized or not. However, if you don’t have this option or are trying to determine if a certain pair of sunglasses are polarized or not—then there are a few simple things you can do in order to tell the difference.

From the surface, polarized lenses and non-polarized lenses will look exactly the same. To determine if one pair actually has the polarizing features, look through the sunglasses and at a reflective surface. Then turn the lenses 90 degrees. You will see a bright reflection if the lenses are polarized. You can also test your sunglasses by looking at a backlit screen like a TV or computer screen, then rotating the lenses. If the glasses are polarized—the screen will become darker. If it is non-polarized, there will be no change.

Benefits of Polarized Sunglasses

So, why do so many people want their sunglasses to have polarized lenses? There are a few different reasons. Primarily, in addition to the anti-glare features we already discussed, polarized lenses are great for those who want a pair of sunglasses for their outdoor adventures like running or hiking.

These sunglasses were actually originally developed by NASA to help protect astronauts’ eyes from space radiation—so you know they are meant to offer some of that extra protection that many of us need when we are spending time outdoors.

Glare can impact your ability to see clearly on these outdoor excursions and can even impact your ability to drive. Polarized sunglasses can help you focus on important efforts like this and help make it easier and safer for you to do certain outdoor activities without worrying about glare.

Disadvantages of Polarized Sunglasses

While many people love polarized sunglasses, it doesn’t mean that they are always the best choice for every sunglass wearer. It is important to note that when it comes to choosing between polarized and non polarized sunglasses that both types of sunglasses still protect your eyes from bright light, and still protect from UVA and UVB light. The difference with polarized lenses is the ability to filter out glare.

There are a few disadvantages of polarized sunglass lenses as well. Take a look at some of our biggest disadvantages below:

It can be more difficult to see LED or LCD devices when wearing polarized sunglasses, so looking at your phone or technology device can be difficult.
The anti-glare features can make it difficult to differentiate between different surfaces the light reflect off of—so it can be difficult for skiers and those in the snow to see.
It can make the control panels in planes and cars more difficult to see.
Polarized sunglasses tend to be more expensive than non-polarized.

With these things in mind, make sure that polarized sunglasses are really what you want when you are shopping for a new pair of sunglasses.

Complete The Summer Look With The Perfect Pair Of Polarized Sunglasses

If you are shopping for a new pair of sunglasses, make sure to take the time and think about what type of pair you really need. The extra glare protection from polarized shades can be great in a number of situations—but they also have their setbacks. In fact, most pilots are encouraged to not wear polarized sunglasses because they can make it more difficult for pilots to see their control panels when they are flying. There are benefits and setbacks to both, although most people can benefit from the anti-glare features on polarized sunglasses. Now that you know more about these sunglasses and what they are capable of, you can determine if polarized shades are the right product for you.

Shana Thompson is a full time professional writer and editor. Shana has worked extensively in the fields of content marketing, on-page and off-page SEO (guest posts, backlink acquisition), and creative writing. As an experienced pro content writer, Shana has worked on several magazines, publishing companies and marketing agencies. Many recent projects have included everything from nutrition and health services, where a lot of research and citations were needed, to writing about health, sustainable, eco-friendly products.

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