What are polarised sunglasses?
Polarised sunglasses are a must-have for any outdoor enthusiast. They protect your eyes from UV rays and reduce glare from reflective surfaces. The lenses have special filters blocking horizontal light waves while allowing vertical light to pass through. This means you still get all the natural colours of your surroundings without having to squint or strain your eyes. Polarised sunglasses can reduce sunlight glare and help to improve your vision and eye safety in the sun.
How to know if sunglasses are polarised
One easy way is to look for the polarisation label on the lens or frame. The majority of polarised lenses are labeled "polarised" or "UV 400," which implies they block at least 99% of UV-A and UV-B rays.
Another way to tell is to perform a polarisation test. Take the glasses outside and turn them so that you're looking through both lenses at a reflective surface, like a car or window. As you rotate the lens from side to side, the reflection should vanish or get darker if the lenses are polarised. This is because polarised lenses block certain types of light, reducing reflections and glare in certain directions.
What is the difference between polarised and non-polarised sunglasses?
Polarised lenses are great for blocking glare from surfaces like water or snow since they filter light and reduce reflections. This can help improve visibility in bright conditions, which is beneficial if you're doing outdoor activities like fishing or skiing. On the downside, these lenses tend to reduce colour saturation significantly, meaning that objects appear much darker than usual.
On the other hand, non-polarised sunglasses provide less protection from glare but do not affect colour perception as polarised glasses do. They are perfect for daily activities like driving or simply wandering around town. They also tend to be more affordable than polarised shades.
Are polarised sunglasses really better?
They are in some situations, but it also depends on your personal preferences and needs. No matter what kind of lens you select, be sure your sunglasses give UV protection and adequate coverage to shield your eyes from the sun's harmful rays.
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