Understanding Polarization and Your Eyes
Sunglasses are an integral component when it comes to the total picture of eye health. The sun’s rays can do terrible damage to our eyes, and long-term exposure can result in cancer, cataracts, and growths on the eye. Sunglasses with polarized lenses help block the sun’s harmful UV rays, and thus protect our eyes.
It is important to understand the concept of polarization and what various sorts of lenses, including filtered lenses, actually do for those who choose to wear them. Let’s take a look at all things polarization now.
What Is Polarization?
Polarization is a quality of light itself. When light comes from a natural source, such as the sun, it is diffuse and not focused. However, when it bounces off of a surface, it then becomes focused and polarized. When light is in this form, it is harsher on our eyes.
This extra intensity is naturally more harmful to our eyes, and we need to diminish the effects from polarized light with UV-blocking lenses that are specifically designed to address this problem.
Polarized Lenses
Polarized lenses essentially block glare from horizontal surfaces. Skiers and fishermen often come to mind when considering the importance of blocking reflected light. Snow skiers who do not wear polarized lenses can experience snow-blindness due to the extreme reflections off of the white snow surface.
The initial market for polarized lenses, in fact, were both of these groups. However, polarized lenses can be very helpful for drivers or for anyone who spends a great deal of time outdoors. If you intend to spend a long time behind the wheel on a family vacation this summer, or you have a hankering for a special ski vacation this winter, or if you’re headed to a white sandy beach in an exotic locale, then you will definitely want the benefits of polarized sunglasses.
On top of eliminating glare, polarized lenses can offer a bevy of benefits. When you wear them, you will find that you squint less often, so you will be more comfortable and less prone to tension headaches. The reduced eyestrain should also enable a person to maintain their overall energy level. Polarized lenses also help you have a clear view of the full spectrum of colors, which is helpful when playing sports or when driving.
Polarized Filters
Polarized lenses are tinted, so they help to block out and absorb direct light from the sun or from other sources. And polarized lenses can be purchased with a gradated tint, with a mirrored surface, or in a photochromatic form.
Photochromatic lenses are often preferred by those who need corrective lenses, because they darken in bright light, but become clear when indoors or at night. This technology has been vastly improved since it was first introduced, and those who adopt the technology tend to love the full protection they receive, no matter the ambient temperature and the near-crystal clarity of the lenses in the evening.
The Sun’s Benefit
Despite all of this talk of blocking the sun’s harmful rays, keep in mind that some sun exposure is healthy and supportive of restful sleep patterns. A healthy amount of natural, blue-spectrum light will keep the mind alert during the day and thus prepared for when the sun goes down and thoughts turn to sleep.
When we get a full night’s rest, the eyes have the time they need to lubricate and cleanse any dust, smoke, and other irritants and allergens they might accumulate during the day. Always try to balance the amount of full-spectrum, natural light your eyes are exposed to, while protecting them from long-term harm with polarized lenses.
Select the best pair of sunglasses for your needs, keeping in mind that it is important to have at least one pair. If you play sports, do a lot of driving, or anticipate exposure to a lot of glare – as on a beach or in the snow – then polarized lenses are probably for you. You will find that you are more comfortable and that the world even looks just a bit better when seen through a pair of sunglasses that are optimized for your eye health.
[Photo Via: Sunglasses Ideas]