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.

Buying Designer Sunglasses For Different Sports

It’s certainly not news that many people like to buy designer brands like Oakley, Dolce and Gabbana, Quiksilver, Spy and Electric sunglasses to name but a few. However, you should also consider the primary reason why you are buying new sunglasses in the first place, especially if they are for sports.

Don’t forget that you first need to consider that sunglasses, cheap or expensive, should comply with certain standards with regard eye protection. Such standards will carry different labels depending on the country, in Europe the standard is EN 1836:2005, in the US ANSI Z80.3-1972 and in Australia AS1067. You will find all designer sunglasses will adhere to these standards.

When you are buying new designer sunglasses they should not only protect against 100% of UV rays, but also filter out UVA, UVB and UVC.  Also remember that irrespective of the colour or darkness of the lens, it is actually the clear outer coating that filters the rays and not the colour itself.

Although you probably have an “everyday” pair of sunglasses, you probably know that you need a different pair for different sports or for driving. Many people don’t consider the reason, but the colour of the lenses and construction of the sunglasses may affect your vision in dissimilar ways. The proposed use of your glasses is probably why some companies (such as Birdz Hawk) produce sunglasses with interchangeable lenses.

Driving glasses should help keep you alert and your eyes comfortable without causing any eye-strain or headaches. Look for polarised lenses and, if possible these should have a grey tint which is more neutral and is unlikely to affect visual contrast or to distort colour.

If you are a cyclist, you really need a tougher lens because of the increased airflow to the face. Don’t forget your peripheral vision is also susceptible so a wrap-around style may be preferable. If you are a golfer, try yellow lenses as it enhances contrast and depth perception.

More extreme sports demand particular elements for sunglasses. For instance, for mountaineering and other altitude sports one needs to consider the exceptionally bright conditions as well as the high altitudes. Altitude sports require a category 4 lens that takes these conditions into account. Glasses or goggles required for water sports such a surfing or kayaking etc., should be shatter-proof and fog resistant, have a nose cushion, be buoyant and have a means of fixing such as a strap.

In summary, get the best UV protection you can, think about the colour of the lens and the other considerations mentioned above in relation to the intended use of your new designer sunglasses.