All sunglasses are formulated to protect against UV rays and to minimize glare, but polarized lenses have a special chemical applied to them to filter out this type of intense glare.
Polarized sunglasses can be useful for certain sports and driving. They can help drivers and athletes see more clearly and avoid hazards.
Polarized lense enhance eye comfort.
Glare creates trouble for the eyes, forcing it and the brain to work harder to see clearly. Polarized lenses can help you see better, meaning that you are able to fully focus on your sports performance. Reducing the eyes’ exposure to harmful light can also prevent headaches and reduce total fatigue, especially helpful in endurance outdoor sports like cycling and long-distance running.
Polarized lenses are ideal in snowy areas.
Polarized lenses are excellent for playing or traveling in the winter months, mainly when there is snow around. Snow not only creates glare, but it also reflects more than 80% of UVA and UVB rays. Spending too much time in the snow, on sunny days can be harmful. However, polarized lenses also have additional coatings to block these harmful rays.
Polarized lenses come in various colours.
You can choose the color of lenses according to the specific needs of your sports. Gray lenses can help reduce brightness to improve your vision in light conditions, except for very low light. Brown lenses are suitable for slightly cloudy days. Green lenses are preferred in situations of extreme glare.
Polarized lenses help see better through certain surfaces.
Polarized lenses can help you see through the water, and restrict blinding glare from metal surfaces like a car. They can be really good for water sports like kayaking and fishing, which require flat water and no depth perception is needed.
Despite many benefits, polarized lenses have some limitations:
Polarized lenses cause difficulty to view LCD screens.
This can be an issue in some sports where watching the score or stats on large LCD screens is vital. Even viewing content on some smartphones or GPS devices may be an issue.
Polarized lenses can distord vision in specific environments.
In some cases, polarized lenses can distort vision. Like when looking through a car window or windshield, you may see strange patterns created due to glass tempering. Similarly, in some specific instances, they may distort vision like showing in the event of eye injuries. It is crucial to seek medical attention right away to prevent further trauma.
It is important to note that not all serious eye injuries are accompanied by visual signs or symptoms. Only a thorough eye exam by an eye doctor can rule out serious eye injury.
How to protect yourself from eye injuries?
Whether participating in low-risk sports, like track or cycling, or high-risk sports, such as hockey or football, it is crucial to wear the appropriate protective eyewear.
Although glasses or sunglasses do not protect every athlete from all blunt trauma or penetrating injuries that can occur, protective sports eyewear with special impact-resistant lenses significantly reduces the risk of serious eye injuries to athletes.
Sports eyewear can certainly also be made in the specific prescription of the athlete, helping enhance the vision and performance of the athlete.
Even if a sport requires a helmet or face mask, the eyes are often still left vulnerable to debris and blunt impact. Consult with an experienced eye care provider to determine the best eyewear for your sports, and ensure that your eyesight is as safe and protected as possible.
