Polarized Lenses

Once reserved for boaters and fishermen, polarized lenses are proving to be a necessity in a wide range of activities.

Exploring Polarized Lenses

To understand how polarized lenses work, it’s helpful to understand a little bit about how light works. When light is reflected from a smooth surface, it's horizontally polarized. That's why these lenses are ideal for driving or fishing. The horizontally polarized light decreases visibility and creates glare.

Polarized lenses work to combat this glare by blocking horizontal polarized light. The result is a reduction in annoying, and potentially harmful glare. People who can benefit from these special lenses include:

• Skiers

• Golfers

• Bikers

• Joggers

• Boaters

• Any and all outdoor enthusiasts

Do They Really Work?

While many agree that the effect of the polarized lens greatly outweighs any of the potential side effects, a few scientists are still debating the lenses’ legitimacy.

The first debate has to do with the effects of polarized lenses on snow-covered surfaces. Some of the experts claim that these lenses can reduce the intense glare that is caused by the sunlight reflecting off of snow, while other experts argue just the opposite.

These experts claim that these lenses are not satisfactory for some sports, like downhill skiing, because they do not provide enough of the contrast needed by the eye to distinguish between patches of ice and snow.

Additionally, it has been shown that these lenses may also adversely react with liquid crystal displays, or LCDs, found in the dashboards of some cars. These LCDs are also found in other places, like the digital screens that are common to automatic teller (bank) machines. The problem here? LCDs that are viewed through polarized lenses, at least from a certain angle, can appear invisible.

That said, most agree that these specialized lenses offer much more as an advantage, and are not in fact, a liability in the least.

Polarized? Think Oakley

Searching for the perfect pair of polarized lenses offers up a wide array of choices. One such choice can be found at Oakley, who offers terrific sunglasses coupled with outstanding, scientifically sound, technology. For Oakley, a myriad of components goes into producing a perfectly polarized lens.

The company first begins by using HDO, or High Definition Optics. This technology allows the wearer to actually see what’s there and nothing else. The phenomena on distortion, thankfully, then becomes a thing of the past.

From there it’s their Infusion Molding. These are specially formulated polymers that are literally fused into the lenses. This is done for increased clarity and definition, and because this technology is bonded on a molecular level, it can’t be rubbed or worn off.

Oakley goes on to round out their much touted lenses by adding:

• Impact Resistance: No matter what’s thrown at these lenses, be it sand or dirt, these sunglasses can take it!

• Hydrophobic: The Hydrophobic technology actually repels dirt and dust, all while remaining impenetrable to oil and sweat.

• Axis of Polarization: This technology is built on the scientific principle that cutting down glare depends on the angle through which that light, or glare is viewed.

• Polarized Emissions: With the claim that Oakley’s polarized lenses efficiently block 99.9% of all polarized light waves, you can see why outdoor enthusiasts flock to this sunglass maker!

Other Places to Shop

No matter their technology, Oakley is not the only sunglass giant you can turn to for lenses that won’t let you down. In fact, some of these other online sites may just have the perfect lens you are searching for:

• Lens.com

• Nextag

• Deal Time

That said, no matter the brand you choose, the most important thing to consider is the activity you’ll be engaged in while wearing the sunglasses. From there, think of comfort (do you like to wear them?) and fit (do they stay on the face or slip off?). This way, you’ll be able to purchase the most cost effective polarized looks that perfectly fit your lifestyle!

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