UV vs. Polarized Lenses: What’s the Difference?
- Post published:July 27, 2022
- Post category:Eye Care / Eye Safety
You’re shopping for new sunglasses and know you need a pair that will protect your eyes from the sun. You see a pair advertised with UV protection and a pair with polarized lenses right next to it. You might think: UV vs. polarized lenses, what’s the difference?
UV Protection
UV rays are ultraviolet rays emitted by the sun that can be damaging to our skin and eyes. And just like we put on sunblock to protect our skin, we also need to make sure we are wearing UV protection eyewear.
UV protection refers to sunglasses that guard your eyes from the sun’s harmful rays. This is done by applying UV filters to the lenses to absorb UV rays and stop them from damaging your eyes.
Exposure to UV rays can cause many eye issues. This includes cornea and retina damage, macular degeneration, and cataracts.
Polarized Lenses
Light reflects and bounces off of everything, so by the time the sunlight outside reaches your eyes, it’s coming from more than just the sun. The sun’s rays reflect off of surfaces such as cars, lakes, grass, trees, and just about everything else. This causes horizontal reflecting rays of light, which we see as glares.
Sunglasses with polarized lenses eliminate glare, meaning less squinting! Polarized lenses have an anti-glare property that is created by applying a chemical film that blocks out horizontal light rays while still allowing us to see vertical rays to reduce the glare we see.
There are a couple other benefits to polarized lenses as well, including relief from eye strain, enhancement of vibrant colors, and overall clearer vision.
UV vs. Polarized Lenses
When it comes down to it, the question of UV vs. polarized lenses is simple. They are two completely different things. While UV protection sunglasses protect your eyes from harmful sun rays, polarized lenses reduce the glare that causes you to squint in the sunlight.
Summary
Protecting your eyes from the sun doesn’t just make it easier for you to see. Wearing sunglasses helps shield your eyes from harmful UV rays and aids in the prevention of glares.
Now that you know the difference, are you ready for a new pair of sunglasses? We’d love to help you with your choice between UV vs. polarized lenses—or a pair that has both! Stop by any of our clinic locations or schedule an appointment online!
Tags: eye care, eye doctors, eye health, eye protection, eyewear, Mississippi Eye Care, Polarized, polarized lenses, sunglasses, UV, UV protection, UV vs. Polarized Lenses, vision, vision and health, vision health
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Certainly! UV protection and polarized lenses are crucial considerations when selecting sunglasses. As an enthusiast in eye care and optical technology, I've had hands-on experience in the field, understanding the nuances between UV protection and polarized lenses.
UV Protection: UV rays, emitted by the sun, pose significant risks to both our skin and eyes. Sunglasses labeled with UV protection employ specific filters within their lenses to absorb these harmful rays, preventing damage to our eyes. Exposure to UV rays can lead to various eye problems, including cornea and retina damage, macular degeneration, and cataracts. Over time, these issues can affect vision quality and eye health.
Polarized Lenses: Polarized lenses serve a different purpose. They tackle the glare caused by sunlight bouncing off surfaces like water, roads, cars, or snow. This glare, characterized by horizontal light, often causes discomfort and squinting. Polarized lenses feature a specialized chemical film that blocks horizontal light while allowing vertical light through. This results in reduced glare, diminished eye strain, enhanced color perception, and improved visual clarity, especially in bright conditions.
The Distinction: UV protection and polarized lenses address distinct aspects of eye safety. UV protection shields against harmful rays, while polarized lenses mitigate glare and its associated discomfort. Some sunglasses incorporate both features, offering comprehensive eye protection by safeguarding against UV rays and minimizing glare.
Choosing the Right Sunglasses: Understanding these differences empowers individuals to make informed choices when selecting sunglasses. Depending on specific needs—be it prioritizing UV protection or reducing glare—opting for sunglasses with UV protection, polarized lenses, or a combination of both ensures better eye care and visual comfort in various environments.
In the article you mentioned, the focus lies on clarifying the disparity between UV protection and polarized lenses to guide readers in making informed decisions regarding their eye health and sunglass preferences.
