There's a price to pay for living in an archipelago that averages 300 sunny days a year. Those of us who live in the Canary Islands don't have to deal with snow, low temperatures, and other characteristics typical of regions with distinct seasons… But we do have to deal with the negative effects of the sun, even more so in the summer. From staying hydrated to using sunscreen, there are steps all Canarians should take to stay healthy and comfortable in the sun; and wearing appropriate sunglasses is one of them.
It's important to know that while UV-protective glasses help protect your eyes and the skin around your eyes from harmful ultraviolet light, they don't eliminate glare that distracts, blinds, and causes visual discomfort in any sunny situation.
Polarized sunglasses eliminate glare, but they may not be the perfect solution for every situation. At Clínica Nivaria, we'll explain how polarized sunglasses work, their benefits, and their potential drawbacks to help you make informed purchasing decisions and protect your eye health.
What is glare?
When a beam of light strikes a flat surface, it is polarized or reflected horizontally. The light becomes concentrated and blinds anyone looking at it. This is known as blinding glare.
These reflections can be uniform, which is smooth reflected light. Uniform reflections would include light reflected off the road, a bumper, or a car's rear window. They can also be non-uniform, which is light reflected from an irregular surface. An example of this would be light reflected off running water, the sea, or a patch of ice on the road. Regardless of the type, the desired result is to filter out distracting reflected light to provide a clear viewing experience for everyone.
What are polarized sunglasses?
During the manufacturing process, a special chemical is applied to the lens of a pair of glasses to polarize it. The chemical is laminated in a vertical pattern, which rearranges the light. This pattern blocks horizontal light to eliminate glare, similar to how window blinds work.
Glare generally occurs when light waves bounce off reflective surfaces, such as a lake, the sea, sand, a snowy hillside, or a shiny car bumper. Because the surface is horizontal, the light is reflected horizontally. When you wear polarized sunglasses, the surface blocks glare by filtering out the horizontal light waves that don't pass through the chemical laminate pattern.
Images may appear darker when using polarized sunglasses. However, when glare is eliminated, image details are easier to see, and eye strain can be reduced. Additionally, polarized sunglasses also provide protection from harmful UV rays.
Differences between polarized sunglasses
Inexpensive polarized sunglasses differ significantly from more expensive models. Cheaper sunglasses may only have a thin chemical laminate on one side of the lens. This thin layer provides minimal protection and is easily rubbed or scratched. You may also notice lens aberrations, as these are typically mass-produced, printed lenses of lower quality.
Higher-quality options have a laminated film sandwiched between two layers of lens material. Coating the laminate protects it from scratches and provides additional benefits. The thicker the polarizing film, the more glare-reducing the lens.
A note about lens color to keep in mind: darker lenses are not necessarily a sign of better protection.
How do polarized sunglasses work?
In addition to reducing glare, polarized sunglasses alleviate eye strain from long hours in the sun. And if you experience headaches due to light sensitivity, polarized sunglasses can help you experience fewer and less severe headaches.
Polarized sunglasses can also increase clarity, contrast, and visual acuity, making your surroundings more pleasant. And when you can see better, you can enjoy the scenery and the sunny day even more.
What are the disadvantages of polarized sunglasses?
Liquid crystal displays (LCDs), which are common in mobile phone screens, car dashboards, watches, and other displays, can be difficult to see clearly when using polarized glasses.
Similarly, because polarization blocks some of the light, nighttime use is not recommended for safety reasons.
Consult one of our professionals if you have any questions about how polarized sunglasses work and whether they are suitable for your eyes. Book your appointment today at our clinic in Santa Cruz de Tenerife; we'd be happy to assist you.
