Are you in need of a new pair of sunnies? Chances are you’re looking for sunglasses with polarised lenses. They protect your eyes from harmful UV and UVB rays, reduce glare and of course, look stylish. Still, before you get to buy polarised sunglasses, it’s important to know why they’re so beneficial. The market is abundant with designers and popular brands of polarised sunglasses; some may just look great, but are they worthy of your money? So, before you get your next pair, here’s what you need to have in mind.
Why Polarised Lenses Are Important?
Polarised lenses are crucial because they help reduce the strain on your eyes caused by constantly changing light angles and reflections. They provide relief by filtering and controlling the light that enters your eyes.
How Are They Different Than Non-polarised?
Polarised lenses differ from non-polarised lenses because they have an additional film that blocks extra light from odd angles. This film filters reflected light in a vertical plane, effectively reducing glare caused by horizontal vibrations. While all polarised lenses serve the same purpose, they are made using various materials. There are different levels of quality and price, but the key difference lies in how the lens is constructed with the film and how clear it is.
Consider the Materials
CR39
Next in line are polarised CR39 lenses, where the polarised film is sandwiched between two wafers of the lens. When produced with high quality, this type of lens can offer better clarity than polycarbonate, although it lacks impact resistance.
Glass
At the top of the hierarchy in terms of optical clarity are glass lenses. They’re constructed similarly to CR39 lenses but offer the clearest, most scratch-resistant material. Glass lenses have minimal impact on the polarization film, providing consistent polarised effectiveness throughout the lens periphery when manufactured in a high-quality facility.
Acrylic
When most people choose to buy polarised sunglasses, they opt out for acrylics. These are made of acrylic or acetate material with a polarised film in between, making them affordable. These glasses are formed into a spherical lens shape using heat and then cut, resulting in the cheapest option but with the most lens distortion. Hot spots around the lens edges can cause distortion and reduce the effectiveness of polarization, while also being prone to scratching.
Polycarbonate
Moving up a level are glasses with injection-moulded polycarbonate lenses, commonly used by brands like Oakley. This material is impact-resistant and more scratch-resistant than laminated lenses. The film is placed in a mould and polycarbonate material is injected around it, creating a strong lens that may not offer the clearest view due to potential distortion of the polarised film.
Difference Between Low-quality and High-quality Polarised Lenses
The main difference lies in the materials used and the construction process. High-quality lenses are typically made from optical-grade CR39 or mineral glass, ensuring superior clarity and durability. Additionally, the polarised film in high-quality lenses is of a higher grade and is precisely aligned between the lenses for optimal performance. Also, high-quality lenses often feature additional protective coatings such as backside anti-reflective coating and hydrophobic and oleophobic coatings to enhance clarity and repel water and oils.
Do You Truly Need Such Lenses?
Different people have different opinions on this. Some people believe that everyone should have polarised lenses, especially if they are wearing premium sunglasses. Polarised lenses not only provide UV protection and reduce the amount of light that enters the lens, but they also allow for clear vision and reduce eye strain in environments with a lot of reflected light.However, some people may feel disoriented or uncomfortable due to the effects of polarization. For example, they may see purple blotches when looking through car window screens with window tint. Additionally, such lenses can alter how a person perceives the road surface, which may not be ideal for skiers who need to see the reflection of ice on a sunny day. Pilots also tend to avoid polarised lenses because the combination of a polarised windscreen and polarised glasses can darken the screen.
Are Affordable Lenses Still Good?
While it may not be feasible to find exceptional polarised sunglasses for $10, you can still find sunglasses that won’t break the bank. One of the best options in terms of value is the glass-polarised Ray-Ban aviator. This lens has a great quality and has been trusted for many years. As you move up in price range, you can expect better frames and additional features for the lens such as anti-reflective coating, which can make a significant difference. Other options include photochromics and mirror coatings, but these will also increase the overall price. It’s important to note that opting for cheap, acrylic acetate lenses from gas stations may not be a wise choice. These lenses are not durable and may compromise lens quality.
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