Why Do We Need Polarised Sunglasses?

Polarised sunglasses are just one way to protect your eyes from the sun’s rays, providing they are a decent pair. You don’t need to spend the earth, although a great deal of the designer sunglasses will protect you and are not always as expensive as you may think.

It’s not just in the summer you need worry about the sun but in the winter as well, you also need to consider what you are doing. For example, if you are skiing or snowboarding you need to make sure your ski goggles protect you adequately as the sun will bounce off the snow.  However, if there is a danger of thin ice, polarised sunglasses could cause problems because in some cases, definition will be lost because of the lack of reflection off the landscape. If there is no snow but bright conditions you’ll also get this ‘bounce’ effect from wet surfaces. An example of someone who would benefit from polarised sunglasses are fisherman, as these would make it easier for them to see more clearly into the water without the sun ‘blinding’ their vision. Therefore it is important to remember that safety rather than fashion should be your foremost consideration.

Developed originally by Edwin Land around 1936, lenses are now either coated with a protective substance or have a filter enclosed within them. Polarisation absorbs solar glare from reflective surfaces by up to 99% to counteract the bright glare that the eye cannot protect against by restricting the light waves to a singular direction. For example, Oakley sunglasses have optimised polarisation that exceeds 99% protection with the lens coatings being moulded at the molecular level. (For more information on the technology Oakley uses visit their website.)

Oakley Tangent Sunglasses

As there are many replicas around, to test whether your polarised sunglasses are authentic, rotate it and watch to see if the light passing through the lens changes intensity – it shouldn’t. Don’t go for cheap imitations, it is your sight we are talking about. You can pay over a hundred for the Oakley Tangent (see left) or just £35 for the Bloc Cobra Sunglasses.

Your sunglasses should also protect against 100% of all UV rays ( UVA, UVB and UVC). You should also remember that despite the colour or darkness of the lens, it is the clear outer coating that filters the rays and not the colour.

So what should you look for when buying your new sun glasses? Most people are now aware that they need UV protection but just to explain, UV radiation comes in at least two primary forms, UVA and UVB and both carry their own dangers. UVA can lead to premature skin aging while UVB may cause skin cancer. UVC has lower radiation and is mostly found in artificial sources such as certain types of lamps.

Short-term exposure is not really harmful but repeated and extended exposure is. What you need to look for is a 99 – 100% protection against UV, irrespective of the price of your glasses or the darkness of the lens. Although a bit more expensive, even if it’s a second pair, there are certainly many benefits to having polarised sunglasses as well, so do at least consider this option.

An Introduction To Aviator Sunglasses

Although originally introduced in the 30′s for US Air Force pilots, one of the most well known and fashionable type of glasses that are now making a re-appearance in the fashion stakes, are aviators sunglasses.

Commonly seen in the movies, worn by celebrities, pilots, US police and Army personnel, aviators sunglasses remain very popular with many different designer brands now producing their own aviator styles. With their trademark wire frames they now come with several different types and colour lenses.

One of the most popular types of aviators sunglasses have the silver mirrored lenses as worn by the US police and seen in TV series such as C.H.I.P’s and classic 80′s films like Top Gun with Tom Cruise. They do appear to give an element of mystery, intrigue and danger as well as being able to protect the eyes and it is these properties that have made them a strong fashion choice.

The design of aviators sunglasses is ideal for protecting the eyes from all angles against the sun and now come in a variety of coloured lenses that may or may not be polarised. Polarised sunglasses as you may know, block out horizontal light waves to greatly reduce reflection of the sun’s rays, somewhat of a plus for pilots!  As with all sunglasses, one needs to make sure that the sunglasses you buy protect your eyes sufficiently from all UV rays. Although the mirrored lenses are traditionally more popular, it must be noted that mirrored sunglasses are more at risk from getting scratched, but that won’t stop people wearing them!

Electric Bullitt

Nueu Aviator 601

Although not the original aviators that were designed and produced by Ray Ban, there is now a range of superb designer styled aviators sunglasses such as the Electric Bullitt Sunglasses or the Spy Wilshire or the more reasonably priced Nueu Aviator range where you will find some good quality aviators sunglasses at a really good price. Today’s aviator style glasses make a great, noticeable accessory and suit most faces, male or female.

Whether you need sunglasses for sports, driving or leisure, then aviators sunglasses make an excellent choice because of the available range that I’m sure you will be happy with.

How To Tell Fake From Authentic Polarised Sunglasses

If you are looking for a new pair of glasses to protect your eyes from the suns rays, you may like to consider purchasing a decent pair of polarised sunglasses. There is no need to spend a lot of money, although a great deal of the designer sunglasses will protect you and may not be as expensive as you think.

Originally developed by Edwin Land in 1936, lenses are now either coated with a protective substance or have a filter enclosed within them. Polarisation now absorbs solar glare from reflective surfaces by up to 99% and counteracts the bright glare to the eye by restricting the light waves to a singular direction.

Its not just in the summer you need worry about the sun but in the winter as well especially if you are involved in winter sports. For example, if you are skiing or snowboarding you need to make sure your ski goggles protect you adequately as the sun will bounce off the snow.  However, if there is a danger of thin ice polarised sunglasses could cause problems because in some cases, definition will be lost because of the lack of reflection off the landscape. If there is no snow but bright conditions youll also get this bounce effect from wet surfaces. An example of someone who would benefit from polarised sunglasses are fisherman, as these would make it easier for them to see more clearly into the water without the sun blinding their vision. Therefore it is important to remember that safety rather than fashion should be your foremost consideration.

Considering there are many fakes around, test whether your polarised sunglasses are authentic by rotating them and watching to see if the light passing through the lens changes intensity – it should not. Don’t go for cheap imitations, it is your sight we are talking about.

Your sunglasses should also protect against 100% of all UV rays ( UVA, UVB and UVC). You should also remember that despite the colour or darkness of the lens, it is the clear outer coating that filters the rays and not the colour.

UV radiation comes in at least two primary forms, UVA and UVB and both carry their own dangers. UVA can lead to premature skin aging while UVB may cause skin cancer. UVC is a third type of radiation and is mostly found in artificial sources such as certain types of lamps. While short-term exposure is not really harmful to the eyes, repeated and extended exposure is. What you need to look for is a 99 – 100% protection against UV, irrespective of the price of your glasses or the darkness of the lens.

They may cost you a little more but even if they are a second pair, there are certainly many benefits to having polarised sunglasses.