You might have heard the phrase “polarized lenses” before, but you may not know exactly what they do, the advantages they have over more traditional types of sunglasses, and what they can do to improve your eye health and give you extra protection as you enjoy the great outdoors. Luckily, we have a handy video brought to you by SmartBuyGlasses, to help explain exactly what all the fuss is about:
How do Polarized Lenses work?
Polarized lenses are coated with molecules that block horizontal light. These molecules are vertically positioned, so any light that reaches the lenses in a horizontal direction is blocked. This means that polarized lenses eliminate glare (light that bounces off surfaces into the eye), so whilst more traditional, non-polarized lenses block direct sunlight but do not block reflected light, polarized lenses provide protection from both. For the wearer, this means increased clarity of vision, enhanced colour contrasts, and increased UV protection.
Uses of Polarized Lenses
Polarized lens technology was originally patented by Edwin Land, the scientist and businessman behind the Polaroid camera, and the first person to create a low cost, commercially viable polarized lens filter. The unique qualities of polarized lenses have been put to a lot of different uses over the years, most notably in cameras (including the iconic Polaroid camera) and sunglasses.
Polarized technology is also used in 3D glasses. One side of the 3D lens is polarized horizontally and the other side is polarized vertically. For 3D movies, two films are actually shown at the same time, shot from slightly different angles. This results in two directions of light that enter the differently positioned lenses, creating the amazing 3D visual effect. So next time your kids drag you to the latest tepid installment of Iron Man or Avengers, just remember that it’s polarized technology that is making the whole thing just about bearable!
Why do I need Polarized Sunglasses?
The advantages of polarized lenses, such as increased clarity and improved depth perception, means that polarized eyewear has become a must-have for athletes looking to take their performance to the next level. In the case of snow sports or watersports, they are a necessity due to the environment where these sports are practiced (water and snow are some of the worst culprits for causing glare, as any skier or surfer will tell you). However, polarized lenses can also offer huge advantages for people who practice more mainstream hobbies, such as running or cycling, or indeed anyone who enjoys the great outdoors.
However, the aesthetic benefits of polarized lenses, such as sharper definition and enhanced colour contrasts, as well as the more serious business of UV protection, can be enjoyed by anyone, and once you try a pair of polarized lenses, you can clearly see the difference. Several major eyewear brands specialize in polarized technology, including Oakley, Maui Jim, Spy, Smith and Polaroid. Oakley has, numerous polarized lens patents, including their Iridium lens technology, a favorite of extreme sports enthusiasts the world over, Maui Jim’s polarized lenses are known for offering unparalleled clarity of vision, whilst Spy’s “Happy Lens” is another step forward in lens technology, providing complete protection against harmful UV rays, but also allowing longer wave blue light into the eye, which is proven to enhance your mood.
At SmartBuyGlasses we stock all of these brands and more. Take a look and get yourself a pair of polarized lenses to see you through the summer.
Content supplied by SmartBuyGlasses
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