Difference Between Polarised and Non-Polarised Sunglasses

If you are in the market for custom printed sunglasses, there are some considerations to think about aside from the brand or the price. Depending on your budget you may wish to consider polarised lensed sunglasses. For those who do not know much about sunglasses (or realistically do not need to) then all you need to know is that polarised promotional sunglasses offer more UV protection whilst non polarised sunglasses do not offer as much protection. Price wise though polarised lenses are more expensive than their non polarised equivalent sunnies. So in detail what is the key difference between polarised and non polarised lenses?

Understanding Polarisation

Before anything else, you need to understand the science behind polarisation. Flat surfaces especially bodies of water tend to reflect light. Upon reflection, there is horizontal alignment of the light waves which essentially creates intense glare, which makes it hard for your eyes to see.

With polarised glasses made with vertical polarisation, the horizontal light waves are blocked and the glare reduced. Any driver would appreciate wearing such sunglasses as it certainly is hard to see the road if there is much glare.

In addition to reducing glare, polarised sunglasses offer excellent UV protection. This is important for those who are always out on the sun and at risk for developing macular degeneration, which could lead to cataracts and even vision loss, as a result of exposure to UVA and UVB rays.

However, there is one disadvantage to polarised lenses. Because of their glare-reducing feature, they also tend to react with the windshield tint and reduce LCD image visibility including those from cellphone screens and GPS devices in vehicles.

Comparing to Non-Polarised Sunglasses

On the other hand, sunglasses which are not fitted with polarised lenses are not equipped to deal with glare. These glasses can only reduce light intensity and does not consider the direction from which light come from. Most people would content themselves with wearing really dark non-polarised sunglasses, mainly due to budgetary concerns as polarised sunglasses tend to be pricier.

When to Choose Polarised Sunglasses

To help you decide which sunglasses are for you, you need to consider the kind of activities you will be involved in. For example, polarised sunglasses are certainly perfect for water sports. It is also ideal for people who are always out under the sun.

If you do decide on polarised sunglasses, you need to know that the color of the lens should also be considered:

Gray polarised lenses – ideal for most conditions especially in the presence of very strong glare or intense sunlight. It can also be worn throughout the day without compromising your eye’s health.
Copper polarised lenses – these lenses are perfect for target shooting as it improves color contrast. They are also practical for hiking and sight fishing.
Moss Yellow polarised lenses – considering their color, sunglasses with these lenses are excellent for overcast conditions, dawn or dusk but not suitable for intense sunlight as they are lightly colored.
Hope this little article helps you understand the good ol sunnies a bit more! For more information on custom sunglasses why not email us or call us today!