Polarized sunglasses. How to choose polarized glasses

Everyone loves sunny weather. When the sun comes out, not only does the outside temperature rise, but so does our mood. However, the sun's rays are not always pleasant for everyone, since people with high photosensitivity experience some inconveniences that can be described as pain in the eyes. In such cases, it is advisable to purchase high-quality sunglasses. This article is devoted to such glasses, which are known as polarized ones.

Start of selection

As a rule, when choosing glasses you need to focus on comfort and image perception in them. That is why, before you start buying sunglasses, it is advisable to visit the nearest optical stores and try on different models of glasses. Each type of lens and each shape of glasses affects the perception of the world around us. That is why you need to try on several models to find the most suitable and comfortable design for your eyes. It is also important to pay attention to your own appearance when choosing sunglasses.

After trying on and choosing the appropriate model of glasses, there are two possible options: either buy an optical device directly in the store, or inquire and find out about the manufacturer and model of the glasses you like and, when you get home, order in an online store. It should be immediately noted that on average you can save up to half the price of glasses in a store if you purchase glasses seen in an optical store on the online auction eBay.

After determining the type and size of glasses, you can move on to the next step of choosing - which polarized glasses are best.

Plastic or glass

Which polarized glasses are better, plastic or glass? Many people believe that glass lenses are much better. This opinion most likely arose in the 1990s, when the number of cheap Chinese glasses on the market began to increase, which had plastic lenses and caused a terrible headache a couple of minutes after wearing. The same plastic lenses of Chinese fakes cracked at the slightest blow.

Today there is no such problem. There are glasses on the market with plastic lenses that are in no way inferior to glass ones, even winning in some ways. The first advantage of plastic lenses is their weight, which is significantly less than the weight of glasses with glass lenses.

Moreover, plastic lenses are safer, especially for cyclists, skateboarders, drivers and all those who may simply break their glasses in certain situations. In such cases, plastic glasses will only need to be replaced, while glass glasses can cause serious harm to the eyes if glass fragments get there.

Finally, another advantage of plastic lenses is that they do not fog up, which is also useful for drivers who often experience inconvenience when their glass glasses begin to fog up.

Glasses color

Today, stores offer polarized glasses in different colors and shades. Gray glasses are excellent for everyday wear. Gray glasses have a more pleasant color rendering and also look very stylish. If you choose these glasses with beautiful frames, you can wear them with almost any style of clothing.

Yellow lenses are the traditional choice for motorists who frequently drive at night. Athletes often wear these glasses. This is due to the fact that glasses with yellow lenses filter light well without hiding small details of the road surface. If you can’t find yellow lenses or for some reason you don’t really like them, then you can opt for light brown ones, which have almost the same properties as their yellow counterparts.

For fishing enthusiasts, light yellow or blue glasses are perfect. The former are great for fishing on the river, and the latter - at sea. Glasses of these colors make it easy to observe the float without irritating your eyes with the glare of the water.

Glasses shape and frame

These options are individual for everyone, but there are several nuances that need to be paid special attention to.

When ordering glasses without first trying them on in a store, it is recommended to choose models with adjustable temples. On such glasses you can set the most suitable width, which will avoid discomfort when wearing.

The shape of the lenses is also a matter of taste. However, motorists are advised to choose more curved glasses that cover the eyes as much as possible, making the field of vision clear.

The article also contains tips on choosing glasses, in particular determining their size before ordering.

Polarized glasses with diopters

There are people who need special glasses that can not only protect from the sun's rays, but also compensate for vision problems. High-quality polarized lenses with diopters are very expensive and are produced in very small quantities. This means that finding such glasses can take quite a long time.

The optimal solution in such cases may be a combination of contact lenses and polarized glasses. There are, however, certain cases when contact lenses are simply contraindicated for people. In such cases, you can purchase polarizing pads that can be glued to regular optical glasses.

How to check polarized glasses.

After solving all the issues with determining the type of glasses, choosing a specific model and ordering, the time comes to receive the purchase and, accordingly, check its quality. There are many ways to test polarized glasses, the easiest of which is as follows. All you need to do is put on the glasses and look at the LCD monitor. All that is required is to slowly rotate the glasses until at a certain point the monitor goes dark. If this happens, then the glasses are indeed polarized.

Manufacturers of high-quality glasses from well-known brands include a special card with a picture in the kit. Looking only through polarized lenses, part of the picture will become visible, since there will be no changes in the picture with the naked eye or ordinary glasses.

Finally, it should be noted that polarized glasses should not cause the slightest distortion of the image when a person looks through them. Otherwise, it is advised to immediately send the parcel back and request a replacement or refund.

Best Polarized Sunglasses

The most famous brand for producing polarized glasses is Polaroid. It should be remembered that original glasses from this company cannot be purchased for $10.

Another company is Rapala, which provides a wide selection of different polarized glasses to suit every taste.

Relatively budget options include glasses produced by Polar Eagle. This brand can be purchased for $15. Moreover, a low price in the case of this manufacturer does not mean low quality.

Where can I buy

In addition to regular Internet sites or online auctions, where you can often stumble upon very profitable lots, there are specialized online optical stores, two of which will be listed below.

SmartBuyGlasses.com.au – this online store selling optical products offers a large assortment. Although the average price of glasses presented in the store is above $40, the store compensates for the high prices with free shipping.

Firmoo.com is the second store that offers a large selection of different glasses. Not only male but also female models are presented. Delivery in some cases is free, if, for example, the price of the product exceeds $30. The store periodically organizes promotions and discounts, which allows you to save money.

Conclusion

After the above, several conclusions can be drawn. High-quality polarized glasses from leading manufacturers will cost $40-50. However, given the quality of these glasses, we can safely say that they will last for more than one summer.

Finally, it should be recalled that high-quality glasses also help maintain eye health.

Everyone is well aware that saving on health is fraught with consequences. Alas, often due to financial difficulties we have to cut back on this important expense item. But, no matter what, you can’t risk your own vision. The eyes are the most sensitive and unprotected human organ, which is very easy to damage, but it is not always possible to restore visual function.

This is the reason why in recent years we have increasingly heard talk about sunglasses with polarized lenses. They are popularized by oculists and major manufacturers who have caught up with the wave. In order not to stumble upon a fake and protect your eyes from the harmful effects of ultraviolet radiation, you need to know how to check the authenticity of polarized lenses.

What is polarization?

A light beam reflected from a certain surface can continue to propagate in a vertical or horizontal plane. If the rays take a vertical direction, the eye will recognize surrounding objects without much effort. In the second case, the light flux will partially overlap the visible image, creating glare. To avoid this effect, use polarized lenses.

This phenomenon is easy to explain if you imagine for a moment that there is some kind of filter in front of your eyes that blocks horizontal rays. The polarizing film is a kind of material that is covered with a thin protective layer. As a result, a person will be able to see exclusively vertical beams of light that do not create barriers to the contemplation of surrounding objects. The presence of vertical rays alone reduces the brightness level, but increases the clarity of the objects seen, thereby making it easier for the eyes to work.

Why do we need polarized lenses?

In simple sunglasses, ordinary tinted lenses are installed. Sometimes there are glasses with photochromic lenses. This arrangement of fashionable sun accessories allows you to reduce the amount of light entering the retina. Regular sunglasses are needed to improve visual comfort. A person does not need to squint his eyes when the sun blinds him. However, this is not enough to ensure that the visual organs do not suffer under the current conditions.

Blinding glare, resulting from the reflection of light waves from various surfaces (water surface, snowdrifts, serpentine roads, city walls), causes significant damage to the visual apparatus.

It is impossible to protect yourself from sun glare with regular sunglasses. In addition, they blur the contemplated picture when a person is fishing, relaxing on the beach, skiing, or driving a car. Glare causes blurred vision. Reflected rays of light make it difficult to see small details, and powerful glare can even blind you for a while.

In the not-too-distant past, the technology for producing polarized lenses was extremely complex. Such filters were used only for production operations related to welding, for photo and video filming, where light interference is undesirable. The modern technological process has been significantly simplified, which makes it possible to mass produce high-quality anti-reflective lenses.

Today, polarized glasses are available to everyone. The first people who came in handy were car enthusiasts. On the road, the driver is often concerned about the reflection of the sun's flow from the road, especially when it is wet, when the sun has not risen high above the horizon. Even short-term driver blindness can cause a terrible accident.

Pilots and fishing enthusiasts are equipped with polarized glasses. Professional athletes from skiing, rowing, and cycling cannot do without such glasses.

For most buyers, interest in anti-reflective lenses is motivated not only by fashion, but also by benefits for the eyes. So, if a person has increased light sensitivity of the retina or spends a long time in the open sun, then such a purchase will be the best option for him.

Pros of polarized glasses

Cons of polarized sunglasses

How to check the polarization of sunglasses?

It will be easy for someone who is familiar with the design of a liquid crystal monitor first-hand to understand how the test for checking polarized lenses works. The principle of operation of an LCD display is that the interaction of two polarizing filters limits the passage of a light wave. Knowing this, you can easily expose an unscrupulous manufacturer or seller of counterfeit goods or, conversely, make sure of the proper quality of the purchased accessory. For this purpose, the following tests are carried out directly in the optics:

These two basic tests are more than enough to check whether your glasses are polarized or not. At the same time, the color design of the glass is in no way related to the polarization effect. A color other than black, or its absence, only affects the visual perception of the surrounding reality.

• Blue lens color preferred by connoisseurs of sea fishing. Thanks to it, it is easy to distinguish individual details on the iridescent surface of the sea.
• Yellow lens color allows you to increase contrast in cloudy weather and twilight hours.
• Pink glasses used when you need to fix several objects at once, for example, for a fisherman among the reeds.
• Gray polarized sunglasses are universal for walking in the sun.

We all know very well that you cannot save on your health. And, of course, we do this more and more often or less often for various reasons. But, no matter how compelling the reason for cutting costs, you cannot endanger your eyesight. The eyes are one of the most sensitive and vulnerable organs, which can easily be damaged, but restoration is not always possible, regardless of the cost of treatment. This is why sunglasses with polarizing filters have become popular lately: both ophthalmologists and fast-moving manufacturing companies are contributing to their popularization. Among them, of course, there are enterprises with a proven reputation over the years, producing truly high-quality and expensive optics, and many factories offering affordable goods of dubious quality.

However, the risk of running into a fake at a fairly high price cannot be ruled out. In order to protect yourself from wasting money and your eyes from aggressive ultraviolet radiation, you need to be able to check polarized glasses. It's best to do this before purchasing. But it wouldn’t be superfluous to check the glasses you’re wearing now.

What is polarization? Properties of polarized glasses
To understand the basic principle on which the protection of polarized eyeglass filters is based, you need to understand the nature of polarization itself. And this, in essence, is the separation of any objects, processes or waves, including waves of light, the visible part of which is perceived by human eyes. Sunlight itself is not divided into parts, but diffuse illumination of the sky, any reflected rays already consist of waves in two directions, perpendicular to each other. In practice, this manifests itself in the fact that while waves of one vector “illuminate” the surrounding space for us, waves of the second direction create all kinds of interference for its visual perception: glare, sunbeams, overexposure, etc. To prevent this effect and take advantage of its capabilities, polarizing filters were created. Gradually, from the arsenal of cameramen, photographers, oculists and other specialists dealing with professional optics, they migrated to the set of necessary tools of fishermen, hunters and athletes, and over time they became a convenient and useful addition to eyeglass lenses for a wide range of consumers.

To subordinate the physical phenomenon of light polarization, two transparent plates were compared, between which a material with a fine-crystalline structure was sandwiched - this is the design of polarizing filters today, only the thickness and composition of the materials vary. Until recently, technology made it possible to place such a “layer cake” only on heavy glass glasses lenses; today, polarized glasses are also made from lightweight plastic. In addition to weight, modern materials for making glasses differ from outdated glass in their much higher strength (they do not break when dropped) and resistance to other mechanical influences (scratches). When choosing polarized glasses, keep in mind that it is very difficult to find polarized glasses for vision correction on the open market. The main reason for this is the complexity of the technology, which would make such glasses prohibitively expensive and unprofitable to mass produce. Therefore, it is better to refuse such a purchase: most likely, you are looking at glasses with diopter correction, but not with a polarizing filter, but with a so-called “anti-reflective coating.” It represents the enlightenment of part of the glass and reduces the amount of distortion in its thickness, but has nothing in common with real polarizing filters.

Who really needs polarized glasses and why? First of all, for those whose activities involve constant attention and tracking of distant objects in conditions of difficult refreshment and/or poor visibility. That is, drivers in cloudy weather, when visibility is minimal, fishermen on sunny days, when the sun's rays glare on the surface of the water and fish scales, climbers and skiers, when the blinding sun is intensified by snow, etc. Sunglasses do not solve such specific problems, but only protect the retina from ultraviolet radiation and generally reduce the brightness of the picture. In contrast, polarizing filters make images more contrasting and detailed, as if expanding and lengthening the visibility zone. At the same time, do not forget that a polarizing filter itself does not provide protection against ultraviolet radiation. Depending on the purpose and additional functions, polarized glasses can be of any shape and configuration; their main value lies in the filter. It can be applied to the surface of the glasses in the form of a thin film (such glasses are relatively inexpensive) or be directly “built” into the glass (more expensive and durable glasses models). But in any case, high-quality polarized glasses cannot be cheap. This is the first sign with which you can check the authenticity of polarized glasses. And only after this first check proceed directly to testing polarized glasses.

Checking the polarization of sunglasses
The essence of the polarizing filter test becomes clear to anyone who is familiar with the operating principle of liquid crystal monitors. It consists in the fact that two polarizing filters interact with each other, mutually limiting the passage of light. If you know about this, then it will not be difficult for you to catch manufacturers and sellers of pseudo-polarized glasses as counterfeits or, conversely, to verify the authenticity of the product. To do this, carry out the first test right in the optical store:

• Test No. 1. Take two glasses from the display case and place them with the glasses opposite each other, holding both horizontally. If the glass is clean and free of scratches, visibility through two layers of lenses will be excellent. Now select any pair of lenses on different glasses and begin to rotate one glasses relative to the others through an imaginary axis passing through the centers of the lenses. Rotate the glasses so that the angle of rotation is first 45°, and then a right angle. In this case, polarized glasses will first darken the image, and then you will not be able to see anything through them. If there is no polarizing filter in your glasses, then the image will still be excellent, no matter how you rotate the glasses in space.
  
• Test No. 2. If you don't have any other glasses at hand, do an even simpler test. For it you will need only one glasses to test and any LCD monitor (TV or computer screens, tablet, smartphone, etc.). Look at the LCD screen through glasses placed horizontally in front of the center of the screen. At this stage, glasses should not interfere with the perception of information on the monitor. Now rotate the glasses along the axis vertically: if they have a polarizing filter, then the area of ​​​​the monitor that you see through the glasses will look uniformly dark.
  

1. Blue glasses are used for sea fishing, allowing you to distinguish details on a large shiny surface.
   
2. Yellow and red glasses increase the contrast of the image, which is why they are convenient on cloudy days and at dusk.
   
3. Pink glasses are used when you need to consider a lot of details, for example, for fishermen in thickets of reeds and water lilies.
   
4. Gray glass is a universal shade for sunny days.
   

Plus, you use polarizing filters on your glasses more often than you might think: for example, when watching 3D movies in 3D theaters, IMAX, or even a home theater system. Glasses with multi-colored lenses are made using the same principle of light separation and divide the image between the two eyes to create a stereo effect. And some living creatures have the ability to have polarized vision by nature - in particular, this allows winged insects to better navigate in space. In humans, this property is extremely rare, can be episodic and is considered a sign of a gene mutation. But one of the discoverers of the polarization of light, Etienne Malus, advanced in his research when he admired the Luxembourg Palace, illuminated by the rays of the setting Parisian sun. We sincerely wish you to observe no less charming pictures through the lenses of your reliable and high-quality polarized glasses.

Why buy polarized glasses? How to choose them correctly? Should you focus only on the brand?

Why buy polarized glasses?

Polaroid

Ray-Ban

Cafa France

Carrera

What to look for when choosing polarized glasses?

Polarized glasses (also called anti-glare glasses) are used to protect the eyes in sunny weather from glare reflected from smooth horizontal surfaces (snow cover, asphalt wet after rain, water surface).

They are equipped with special lenses that transmit useful light and block glare that is harmful to vision. They are recommended to be worn when driving a car, playing water and skiing sports, while fishing or on a beach holiday.

Most people mistakenly equate polarized glasses with regular sunglasses. Meanwhile, they are distinguished by the presence of a polarizing filter (lens) of a multilayer design with a special film inside. The film has the ability to separate light rays, transmitting only radiation with vertical polarization that is safe for vision. Unpolarized rays of light emanating from various objects easily pass through it. Thanks to this, polarized glasses contribute to the formation of a clear image on the retina. They are produced with both glass and plastic lenses, the maximum effective radius of which is 20 m.

Advantages of polarized glasses

The use of glasses with polarized lenses brings great benefits to athletes, drivers, fishermen and all outdoor enthusiasts.

• They reduce eyestrain and improve the quality of vision.
• Thanks to them, the comfort of monitoring the road while driving increases. This minimizes the likelihood of an accident.
• They reduce eye fatigue, increase concentration, and provide high contrast and image clarity.
• This is excellent eye protection against UV radiation.

Types of polarized glasses

Today you can buy polarized glasses for various purposes. They are produced by well-known companies, offering high-quality products in different price categories. The degree of polarization of all models (both cheap and expensive) reaches almost 100%. But there are other quality indicators (for example, structural strength, abrasive protection and a number of others) that directly depend on cost.

• The cheapest category of polarized glasses includes Polaroid® beach models, marked Clare Protection in the annotation, equipped with plastic lenses. Their cost varies from $3 to $15. The advantages of these models include their low weight; they do not break when dropped. Among the disadvantages, it is worth noting a decrease in visibility due to scratches on the surface of the lens.
• Models of polarized glasses for fishermen. Their prices depend on the lens material and its design, the presence of side screens (curtains) and the viewing angle, the manufacturer.
  So for plastic models of the brands Actyon Optics, Aqua, Balzer, Ale Lunettes, Flying Fisherman, Snowbee you will have to pay from 15 to 30 $.
  The cost of glasses with polarizing glass filters from such well-known companies as Oaklee, RX, Smith, Costa, Orvis is much higher. It can range from $100 to $500. But they give a much greater effect, retain an attractive appearance longer, and can have diopters. The main disadvantages of polarized glass lenses are their weight, which creates discomfort when worn, and the fragility of the glass.
• Drive Wear® from Younger Optics. These are a type of polarized glasses with a photochromic effect that creates constant polarization. Their main advantage is the automatic change of lens color depending on the light level. They turn dark gray/brown in bright sunlight or greenish-yellow in cloudy weather and low light in the evening. The cost of glasses for drivers is approximately 30% higher than for models for anglers. But this is quite justified, since they suppress up to 95% of glare, ensuring safe driving of the vehicle.

Criterias of choice

The main working element of polarized glasses is the lens. The color design influences the effectiveness of their work. Lenses come in a variety of colors. They are intended for use in certain lighting conditions.

• Gray color (99% polarization). Provides excellent visibility and high contrast, without color distortion. Lenses of this color are installed in glasses for drivers and fishermen used in bright sunlight. They are considered all-weather and are recommended for daily use.
• Brown color (99% polarized). Glasses with brown lenses are in demand among golfers, skiers, and rowers.
  Copper color (99% polarization). Increases the contrast of objects and improves visibility. Used in polarized lenses for fishermen.
• Amber color (95% polarization). It has a unique spectrum that allows you to visually recognize fish. Glasses with amber filters are ideal for trout fishing.
• Yellow. Filters of this color cut off the blue component of the spectrum, enhancing the contrast of objects. Sunglasses with light yellow polarized lenses are used at dusk and in cloudy weather. They are popular among biathletes. Dark yellow lenses are suitable for fishing in shallow waters under partly cloudy conditions.
• Pink color (50% polarization). Goggles of this color are great for float fishing in dense, low cloud and twilight conditions.
• Blue glasses and mirror lenses are recommended for sea fishing.

In addition, you should pay attention to the strength of the structure.

1. The frame of the glasses must have a high-quality fastening that ensures complete immobility. It should fit your face tightly, leaving no gaps and reliably protecting your eyes from the sun's rays.
2. The temples should be firmly held in the temple area, without falling off during sudden movements or bending. However, they should not create excessive pressure on the head.
3. In high-quality models, the temples of the glasses are secured with a special rubber band. They are sold in a special case that protects against dust and dirt getting on the lenses and their mechanical damage during storage and transportation.

Where can I buy

You can buy exclusive models of polarized glasses from famous brands in branded stores. For example:

• Oakley (USA);
• Unitedshades (USA);
• WENZ (Germany);
• Sheego (Germany);
• Glassesusa (USA);
• Bleudame (Canada);
• Surf Mountain (UK);
• Select Sprecs (UK);
• RaffaelloNetwork (Italy);
• Zara (Spain);
• DirtyDog (New Zealand);
• SungMart (China);
• Webike (Japan).

How to determine the authenticity of glasses

To distinguish real polarized glasses from fake ones, you can follow these steps:

1. Bring them to any mirror surface (for example, a cell phone display) and begin to slowly turn. The lenses of the original models will immediately begin to darken.
2. Putting on glasses, look at the cell phone screen from a certain angle. The screen will appear in front of you in black.

Branded stores usually offer to take a test to prove that the product is not a counterfeit. It consists of reading the text printed on a special plate. You can only see it through polarized glasses.