Choose polarized sunglasses to reduce glare.
Though they are often a fashion statement, sunglasses also provide eyes with much-needed protection from the sun's glare. When light bounces off many surfaces, such as concrete or water, the light polarizes and vibrates more in one direction than any other. This single-direction vibration is called glare. Polarizing film in sunglasses reduces the brightness of this glare, making it easier to see more clearly during recreational activities, such as skiing, fishing and golfing. Polarized sunglasses also make driving in the sun a much safer task.
Eye Protection
Protect your eyes with polarized sunglasses.
A good pair of sunglasses should virtually eliminate cornea- and retina-damaging ultraviolet (UV) light from the sun. Good sunglasses also provide protection from intense light to keep the iris from closing and reduce the need for squinting. Polarized film in sunglasses can do both of the above, with the added benefit of protection from glare. Because glare makes it difficult to see the road and cars ahead, driving in the sun can be dangerous without proper eye protection. Be sure to test polarized sunglasses out in the car before getting on the road, because LCD screens on some car dashboards may interfere with the way light reflects off polarized film.
Color
Color affects light reception.
All sunglasses eliminate specific frequencies of light based on the color of the lens. Some polarized film colors absorb significant amounts of high-energy visible (HEV) light, which can contribute to age-related eye diseases such as cataracts and macular degeneration. Consider when and where the sunglasses will most often be used to determine tint the polarized film in sunglasses. For example, yellow provides maximum light transmission of any polarized lens while light gray transmits colors evenly and allows for true color recognition. Polarized film comes in many tinted colors; research which color produces your desired results.
Shape
Wraparound shaped lenses provide maximum protection.
Curved polarized lenses, also called wraparound lenses, curve around the head from the front to the side. Wraparound sunglasses offer peripheral as well as straight-on vision glare protection. Though some manufactures have engineered special methods of curving polarized film lenses to work around optical distortion problems caused by prescriptions, most wraparound sunglass frames cannot accept prescription lenses. Because wraparound frames offer a secure fit around the entire head, these sunglasses are often an ideal choice for sports enthusiasts who play hard in the sun.
Activity
Many activities require specific sunglass styles.
Different colors of lenses affect light in different ways. When considering the purchase of polarized film in sunglasses, take into account specific activities the sunglasses are meant to facilitate. For example, a bicyclist might require wraparound sunglasses with dark gray polarized lenses for road rides on sunny days, and amber lenses for mountain biking in cloudy weather. Most people can get by with only one pair of good polarized sunglasses that generally reduce glare, eye fatigue and increase visual clarity in the sun. Research which color polarized film best suits your purposes before making a purchase.
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