You 've probably heard of polarised sunglasses before, but it 's likely you don 't have any idea what polarisation actually is, or why it 's worth paying that little extra for!
Polarised lenses block all but vertical polarising light, meaning that they make the images you see clearer and sharper than with normal sunglasses. They can also help to reduce the glare from the sun, making your overall visual experience more comfortable.
If you enjoy fishing, sailing, water sports or other outdoor activities then polarised sunglasses are a must: they will help to reduce the glare of the sun on the water, making it easier to see what you 're doing and improve your experience (although we can 't promise it will improve your sailing prowess or the size of the fish you will catch!) There are lots of benefits of choosing polarised sunglasses, but which pair should you choose?
Specifications of Polarised Sunglasses
There are two common specifications for polarised sunglasses: .75mm polarised lenses and 1.1 mm polarised lenses. The .75 mm lenses are made from thin sheets of film, making them an ideal option for occasions when you need minimal impact resistance. They are the best lenses for sports such as running, golf and lifting weights, for example.
The 1.1mm lenses are made with film which is considerably thicker, meaning that they will offer a higher level of impact resistance. That means they are a better option if you enjoy hands on sports, or if you work outdoors in environments where your glasses are likely to be jolted or dropped.
Thicker 1.1 mm lenses tend to be more expensive, and more sturdy, but it 's important to note that the thickness of the film doesn 't affect the glare reduction or the level of polarisation, which will be the same in both lens thicknesses. When choosing the right level of polarisation for you, therefore, it 's important to think about what you will be doing in your sunglasses, and how thick the glass should be.
Who Shouldn 't use Polarised Sunglasses
Polarised sunglasses are a great choice if you want to reduce the level of glare you will experience or if you want to see objects more clearly when wearing your sunglasses. However, they aren 't the right choice for everyone. Pilots and other aviation experts should not wear polarised sunglasses: this is because the windows of many aircrafts are already polarised, which could result in reduced visibility (never a good idea if you need to land a plane!)
Many people mistakenly believe that you shouldn 't wear polarised lenses when you are driving a car for the same reasons, however this is a myth. It is perfectly safe to wear polarised sunglasses behind the wheel of your car, and wearing sunglasses to drive on sunny days can actually help to reduce both eye strain and levels of driver fatigue. Polarisation is a wonderful tool and one that can be harnessed and used by almost everyone (unless you plan to fly yourself to your next holiday destination, of course!)
