Everything You Need to Know About Polarized Lenses

Polarized lenses
A polarized lens is a lens that reduces glare from objects and a polarized lens makes it easier for us to see objects during strong sunlight. A polarized lens will block horizontal light and will allow vertical light to pass through the eyes normally makes us see as normal sunglasses but more special is that it helps to be more comfortable on the eye, reduces glare more.

Compare the differences between polarized and non-polarized lenses.

You will notice that polarization provides sharpness and cuts reflections well when we wear polarized lenses when travelling on the road for example or looking at a water surface, however the effect doesn’t work when looking at screens or TV monitors.  Non polarized provides protection from the sun without any polarization so in some situations there is less clarity but they are fine for every day activities.  

How do polarized lenses work?

Polarized lenses are special filters that help block light scattering from objects and makes us see and separate objects more easily. The polarized filter acts like a sun blind by blocking the horizontal axis light and allowing the vertical axis light to travel normally. They makes us see like normal sunglasses but more make wearing glasses more comfortable by cutting glare in certain situations.

If you want to see a simple example, It’s like closing the blinds in a the window and at the same time we can see clearly outside. As for a Polarized lens, it is the principle of deflecting light to the other direction instead of that light hitting our eyes, the polarized filter will only take in one vertical axis of light so that we can still see the same. You will notice that when polarized glasses are placed perpendicular, the visible image becomes dark and invisible because the axis has been changed but if you turn back to the original angle of 180 degrees, the glasses will be able to see normally.

Disadvantages of polarized lenses.
A polarized lens is not suitable for viewing objects that require a lot of light such as electronic devices because polarized lenses will cut off the necessary light needed to view such devices.  You may have seen rainbow colours when viewing a device screen and this is caused from the filter.  Your view from a window may also be impeded by polarized lenses, this is one reason why pilots are not allowed to wear polarized glasses whilst flying.  

How to check if your glasses are Polarized.


Hold two pairs of sunglasses at right angles to each other. If you can’t see through, your glasses is Polarized.

Wear it and Look around, look at the car mirror, you will see a slight rainbow of light waves. This is normal in polarized lenses.

Another easy way to tell if your sunglasses are polarized is to look at the surface of the sea or body of water, if you can suddenly see through the reflection and glare then the sunglasses are polarized.

Polarized sunglasses are ideal for those who like to do outdoor activities, they can help reduce glare in a variety of activities whether on the coast or in a jungle.  Many brands sell polarized sunglasses including Rayban, Oakley, Olivia People and Nathalie Fordeyn women’s sunglasses.  

Polarized sunglasses are a popular choice to buy, but don’t forget to choose sunglasses that block UV 400 nm to prevent eye damage!

Thanks for reading this weeks blog, if you have any questions please get in touch and see you next time!