The Benefits of Polarized Sunglasses

Sunglasses can be as crucial to eye care as glasses or eye exams. Why? Because like comprehensive eye exams, sun safety is part of preventative care. Sunglasses can also make your visual experience easier, from driving without glare to shielding your eyes from the wind.

Yet, every pair of sunglasses can have unique features, changing how your eyewear serves your vision and eye health. For example, polarized lenses are one type of treatment you may want for your shades. But how can you tell if your sunglasses are polarized? What are the benefits?

What Are Polarized Lenses?

Polarized lenses filter reflected light or glare. A chemical is applied to the lens to create vertical openings and block horizontal light.

Light sources, like the sun, scatter in all directions. However, when light strikes reflective surfaces, the light becomes polarizedand travels in a uniform (horizontal) orientation. Horizontal light bounces off reflective surfaces, such as water or metal, focusing light intensity and affecting visibility. 

Polarized sunglasses (anti-glare sunglasses) reduce how much light reaches your eye by blocking reflected light. As a result, images can seem darker, but details are generally clearer. 

The main benefits of polarized sunglasses are:

• Clearer vision in bright environments
• Decreased eye strain
• Increased contrast with minimal colour distortion
• Reduced glare and reflection

Polarized sunglasses work best when worn in environments with high light intensity. People who enjoy outdoor activities use polarized lenses to improve visibility, which can be a crucial safety feature. 

However, there are some situations where polarized lenses may decrease visibility. The chemicals reduce light and are ill-suited for low-lighting conditions. Therefore, you should not wear polarized sunglasses for night driving. While yellow-tinted night driving glasses exist, the evidence does not support any potential benefits for visibility or performance.

UV Protection vs Anti-Glare

Of course, there's a difference between UV-blocking and anti-glare lenses. Many polarized lenses are available with UV protection, but not all filter UV light. Unfortunately, the opposite is true: not all UV-blocking sunglasses are polarized. So before you buy, look at the label or ask the seller.

Ultraviolet light or UV radiation can affect health in multiple ways depending on the type and the intensity. Prolonged or intense exposure to UV radiation cause harm your eye health and vision. Avoiding direct sunlight and using UV protection can help reduce your risk for:

• Age-related macular degeneration (AMD)
• Age spots
• Eye growths (pterygium or pinguecula)
• Eye or eyelid skin cancer
• Photokeratitis (sunburned eyes)

Sunglasses with UV protection should block out 99–100% UV-A and UV-B radiation. Also, look for sunglasses that screen out 75–90% of visible light. The lenses should be free of any flaws or distortions. Lenses labelled with UV 400 protection block nearly 100% of UV light.

The colour or tint of your sunglasses is not relevant to UV protection. Any shade can be an option for polarized, UV-blocking sunglasses.

All Season Protection

Polarized lenses are available in various tints. Yellow or orange coloured sunglasses are popular for sports-related activities as they can increase contrast in hazy or foggy conditions. But the yellow-orange tiny can distort colours. Some tints, such as amber, rose, or green, can also effectively block blue light. Grey tints offer the most natural colour vision.

When choosing your outdoor eyewear, the type of filter and colour can significantly impact performance and safety. Sports or hobbies in high-reflective environments benefit the most from polarized sunglasses, including water or snow sports—such as fishing, boating, skiing, and snowboarding.

While you're likely familiar with the need for anti-glare lenses in the summer, the colder season can be equally blinding. UV light can reflect off snow and ice, potentially doubling your risk for UV exposure and increasing glare. 

Sports eyewear, from impact-resistant sunglasses to ski goggles, is available with polarized lenses. The sturdier materials, wider surface area, and anti-glare coating can give your performance and safety advantages.

How to Tell if Your Sunglasses Are Polarized

The good news is it's easy to tell if your sunglasses are polarized. Compare looking at a reflective surface without and with your sunglasses. You should notice a difference in glare and contrast.

Polarized lenses also make looking at LCD screens more challenging, usually appearing dark or black. To test visibility, you can look at an LCD screen, such as a TV or digital watch.

Another trick you can try before you buy is to compare sunglasses you know are polarized with the pair in question:

1. Hold one lens over the polarized lens about 1–2 inches (2.5–5.1 cm) apart. Rotate the pair in question to a 90-degree angle. 
2. Where the lenses overlap, the contrast should be significantly darker than when the lenses do not overlap. If there’s no difference, the lenses are not polarized.

Discover More Eyewear Tips

Your optometrist is more than an eyecare expert; we can also offer advice about eyewear. When you need lenses for a task, we can help you find what you’re looking for. Computer glasses, sports goggles, or polarized sunglasses—we’re available to discuss all your vision needs.

Protecting your eyes is crucial for preventing eye diseases and conditions, but it can also support your comfort. Visit River Heights Eye Care today!

The post Are My Sunglasses Polarized? How to Tell and Why it’s Important first appeared on River Heights Eye Care.

Sunglasses are a great way to protect your eyes from the sun, helping prevent the development of several eye conditions. It makes sense to wear your sunglasses when out in the sun, but should you wear them more consistently? 

Continue reading to learn more about sunglasses, including 5 reasons you should wear them more often. 

5 Reasons to Wear Your Sunglasses More 

While sunglasses have many benefits, they can feel like a pain to carry everywhere. Many people may think sunglasses are only necessary for the summer and spring, but they have year-round benefits. Besides protecting you from the sun, sunglasses can prevent irritation and potential damage from the elements, avoid headaches, and help you enjoy the outdoors more. 

Here are 5 reasons you should wear your sunglasses more. 

Protect Yourself From Sun Damage

UV-blocking sunglasses can help protect you from several health conditions, such as cataracts, skin cancer, and age-related macular degeneration. 

Eyelid skin cancer

Eyelid cancer is a general term to describe several types of cancer that occur on or within the eyelid. Cancer typically appears in the form of a tumour on the eyelid’s outer surface, developing from fat and sweat glands. Types of eyelid skin cancer include basal cell carcinoma, sebaceous carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and melanoma. 

You increase your risk of developing eyelid cancer each time you expose yourself to the sun without effective eye protection. 

Snow Blindness

Snow blindness, or photokeratitis, can occur when UV rays reflect off of snow, ice, water or emit from light sources like tanning bed lamps. You put yourself at risk of this condition when you don’t wear suitable sunglasses. In Canada, you shouldn’t only take precautions when out doing winter activities—anyone living in a snowy climate should wear UV protection. 

Photokeratitis can lead to several uncomfortable symptoms, including: 

• Irritation
• Pain
• Redness
• Light sensitivity
• Watery eyes
• Blurry vision

Cataracts

A cataract is the clouding of your eye’s lens, typically occurring due to age. While cataracts may not affect your vision at first, they can cause you to struggle with reading, driving, and other everyday tasks. This condition happens to almost everyone with time, but exposure to UV light can accelerate cataract development. 

When cataracts begin to affect your eyesight, surgery is often the only option to restore your vision. While cataracts aren’t preventable, you can slow their growth by protecting your eyes from UV exposure. 

Age-related macular degeneration 

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a condition that causes the progressive decay of the macula, the part of the eye responsible for your central vision. 

The macula begins to thin with time, causing you to lose your central vision. However, your peripheral (side) vision remains unaffected. There are 2 forms of this condition: wet and dry AMD. 

The risk of developing AMD commonly increases with age. However, someone who experiences extensive UV exposure has a higher risk. Protecting your eyes with UV-blocking sunglasses can lower your risk of developing this condition. 

Pterygium 

Pterygium, or surfer’s eye, is tissue growth on the conjunctiva, the clear tissue lining your eyelids. While this condition isn’t typically serious, it can irritate and lower your quality of life. Pterygium typically develops due to extensive exposure to UV light. 

Protect Yourself From the Weather

While the sun can cause significant damage to your eyes, it isn’t the only thing to worry about. Snow, sand, wind, and dust can irritate and damage your eyes. A common concern when spending time in the snow without sun protection is snow blindness.

Sand can enter your eyes on a windy day, irritating or damaging your cornea. Wind and dust can irritate or dry your eyes. The best way to protect your eyes from the elements is to wear wraparound sunglasses frequently. 

Enjoy the Outdoors Without the Need to Squint

If you enjoy spending time outdoors, a quality pair of sunglasses is something you should invest in. You can not only protect your eyes from the sun but also enjoy your surroundings more. Different kinds of sunglasses can help reduce glare or provide more contrast, helping you see more clearly. 

Prevent Headaches & Migraines

You may not be aware, but bright sunlight can trigger migraines and headaches. This reaction occurs due to light sensitivity, which causes pain or irritation. 

Wearing sunglasses can help prevent these headaches from occurring as frequently. Speaking with your optometrist can help identify the best types of sunglasses for your needs. 

Drive Safer by Reducing Glare

When rain or snow hits the highway, light can reflect off of these surfaces and send light rays into your eyes. When light reflects directly into your eyes, it’s known as glare, which can cause eye strain and make it harder to see when driving. 

A pair of polarized sunglasses can help reduce glare when driving, making it easier to see what’s in front of you. 

There are many reasons to wear your sunglasses more often. Besides the aesthetic features sunglasses offer, you can protect your eyes from the sun and the elements, prevent headaches and migraines and improve your safety when driving. 

If you’re interested in quality sunglasses, what should you look for? 

What to Look for When Choosing Sunglasses

When choosing a pair of sunglasses, consider looking for one that provides the following: 

• 99–100% UV blockage
• Lenses with the same level of darkness
• Lenses that provide proper colour balance
• A frame that fits the shape of your face well 

Finding the perfect pair of sunglasses can seem complicated with so many options. However, your optometry team has the expertise to help find sunglasses that meet your vision needs. 

Contact your optometrist if you’re looking for quality sunglasses. 

The post 5 Reasons You Should Wear Sunglasses More Often first appeared on River Heights Eye Care.