How to know if my sunglasses are polarized
Become an expert in polarized lenses
Here we will tell you how to know if your sunglasses are polarized or not. To be able to test your lenses, have them on hand and below we will show you how.
If you are looking to buy polarized sunglasses you can check out our collection of sunglasses . You can buy them as polarized optical glasses if you need prescription sunglasses.
You will also find all the information you need to know about polarized sunglasses. We will answer the following questions:
1.- Polarized is not the same as mirrored
2. How does polarized treatment work?
3. Advantages and characteristics of polarized sunglasses
4. Disadvantages and limitations of polarized sunglasses
5. What to look for when buying polarized glasses
6. What is polarized treatment on sunglasses?
7. How do I know if my glasses are polarized?
We are also going to debunk a very big myth that many people confuse: mirror treatment is not the same as polarized treatment.
Polarized sunglasses have become very fashionable in recent times. Previously, they were only worn for sports, but nowadays they are used in much more everyday situations. For this reason, we are going to explain the advantages and disadvantages of this type of accessory.
Polarized glasses contain a filter that cancels out reflections of sunlight on water, snow and metal surfaces, improving visual comfort.
Protect your eyes from the sunshine It is convenient to gain visual comfort and essential to avoid eye damage caused by constant exposure to solar radiation. Without a doubt, the best way to protect ourselves is by using good quality sunglasses that have the appropriate filters for the most harmful UV radiation and polarized filters to avoid a type of light that is quite annoying.
In a previous article we made a series recommendations to protect your eyes from the sun . In summary, the ultraviolet rays They are the cause of eye damage, so it is essential to create an adequate barrier (in this case, glasses) between sunlight and vision.
At the level of visual comfort, the polarized sunglasses They have become fashionable in recent years. Using this type of accessory has some advantages, but it is also necessary to know the small drawbacks of polarized lenses before deciding to use them.
«Wearing quality polarized sunglasses protects your eyes and improves comfort.»
Polarized is not the same as mirrored
It is important to note that polarization has nothing to do with the color of the glass, nor does it have anything to do with UV protection or whether the lenses are mirrored or not.
It is common to confuse the mirror effect with the polarized treatment. Polarization affects the way light rays reach our eyes, generating an anti-reflective effect on metal surfaces (such as cars) or water (beach, snow, rivers or lakes).
The iridescent effect, on the other hand, reflects all the light that bounces off the surface and is an aesthetic effect ("to look cool") or simply to add character to your glasses.
We already know the difference between polarized and mirrored. So: A pair of glasses can be polarized and mirrored at the same time, but it could also be mirrored and non-polarized.
How do polarized lenses work?
The sunlight we receive vibrates in all directions, however, when it bounces off a horizontal surface the light becomes partially polarized so that this horizontal component of the light is enhanced to become a bright and annoying light: a reflection .
Polarized sunglasses have the characteristic of filter the light that the lens receives from a specific direction. Most commonly, lenses are polarized vertically, thereby blocking this light that strikes horizontally. For example, when the sun reflects off a horizontal surface such as the sea, the characteristic glare that the sun causes in our eyes is filtered out.
The polarized lens filter is achieved by adding a thin sheet to the glass so that the polarized glasses They can be neutral or graduated for those who need them.
Advantages of polarized glasses
Polarized sunglasses are ideal for very specific situations where the sun bounces off horizontal surfaces. Therefore, for practicing certain sports or even for drive They are usually a very good option. In addition, by eliminating the reflection that the sun produces on surfaces such as water, they allow our vision to go much further if we look towards the bottom of the sea or a river.
For this reason they are usually ideal for practicing activities such as fishing , although, it must be taken into account that polarized lenses are totally prohibited in competition because of the clear advantage they give to the wearer by allowing them to see the fish more clearly.
For skiing or doing all kinds of water sports On bright and sunny days, this type of protection, provided by polarized lenses, is the best alternative. In addition, it is important to note that it is possible to opt for prescription sunglasses.
In the image on the right, the polarized lens filters the light that reflects off the water and allows for better, more detailed vision.
In the technology that is applied to 3D cinema Polarized lenses are used so that the viewer can perceive this effect. However, these glasses do not offer any type of sun protection. The way polarized lenses work for watching 3D movies is as follows: polarized sheets are installed that are placed on the different directions, so the light reaching us from the screen is polarized vertically or horizontally, depending on the characteristics of the image.
Another advantage of polarized sunglasses is that in low light situations or shade, the lenses do not darken as much and it is possible to achieve much more pleasant vision in these types of conditions.
At present the polarized filters They can be obtained in different degrees of protection and, in addition, it is possible to darken the lenses to a greater or lesser degree so that the person obtains the visual comfort they need.
7 FEATURES OF POLARIZED SUNGLASSES
- They can be combined with visible and UV light filters. thus providing complete protection.
- They provide a vision without reflections . At least those of horizontal light, which are the most frequent.
- Elderly sharpness and better contrast .
- Perception of more natural colors .
- They reduce the eye strain .
- Highly recommended for people with high sensitivity to light or photophobia .
- The polarizing filter can be applied on prescription lenses and even progressive .
SOME DISADVANTAGES OF POLARIZED SUNGLASSES
There are not many drawbacks to polarized sunglasses. One of the most common disadvantages that almost all users of these lenses notice is that when looking at the lenses, LCD screens Images often reach us in a distorted and dark form. This happens when, for example, we try to view an image or read text on a mobile phone screen.
Another drawback of this type of polarized glass is that they do not offer protection against any glare, so if we tilt our head it is likely that they will reach us. light reflections horizontally, which makes vision less than optimal.
POLARIZED LENSES AND THEIR LIMITATIONS
- When making optical sunglasses or optical glasses it is possible that they are not available in your prescription range, sometimes the hyperopia, myopia, astigmatism or presbyopia is so high that polarized optical sunglasses versions are not available.
- It should be noted that polarized glasses prevent horizontal reflections, so other types of Vertical reflections , which are much less frequent, can still be dazzling (the reflection in the glass of a building).
- There is a chance that we will not see the images well. LCD screens (cell phones, computers, tablets, cars with tinted windows) because this type of screen uses polarized light to form images. We will see the screen off and the colors altered.
- Certain reflexes can provide useful information. In the case of skiers, they can be used to detect patches of ice in the snow that generate a characteristic reflection.
Choosing Polarized Sunglasses
To learn about the shape of glasses that would suit you according to your face type, check out this link
What is polarization in sunglasses?
POLARIZED EXPLAINED
When the sun bounces off surfaces that produce reflections (cement, metals, water or snow) it reaches our eyes practically in 360º, the function of lenses with polarized filter is to vectorially block this light so that it does not bother you when it reaches your eyes. Think of polarization as a shower of horizontal lines that block the passage of light, if you oppose two lenses and the lines are at 60º ± 90º they will block all the light that penetrates, that is, you will not see to the other side.
Now we want to teach you how to identify whether your lenses are polarized or not, in a very simple way in your own home. Today we will show you two ways to identify them very easily:
How can I tell if my lenses are polarized?
You can find out at home with these two tests:
1.- With a computer or television screen
First you must place your lenses in a horizontal position as shown in the image. Then rotate them as shown in the figure from the horizontal position to 60º to 90º. If the glass becomes blacker than usual and does not allow you to see to the other side, then your glasses are polarized!
Note: The lenses that come with polarized lenses darken, blocking the light.
2.- With other polarized sunglasses
If you have two pairs of sunglasses in your hand, and both are polarized, then we can do this test. You must place both lenses horizontally as shown in the figure and then rotate one of them between 60º to 90º, if the light is blocked and you don't see anything on the other side, then both lenses are polarized!
Now that you know the acid tests that we professionals use to test polarized lenses with simple tools, we challenge you to test your sunglasses and those of your friends and teach them to be sure of what they buy 😎!
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