The glasses of a regular sunglass are simply coated with UV protective layer and a special black tinted coating which doesn't allow most of the light rays (not glare) to enter eyes, thereby protecting them. They are not useful to see through the glare and thus are of no use when you most of your activity is centered with flat surfaces in the bright light.
Polarized sunglasses, on the other hand, employ a special type of glass whose polymers are oriented in vertical direction and thus completely cut the horizontal glare rays. The results from this simple trick are astounding. Apart from the protection from annoying and even dangerous glare, one gets all the benefits of a regular sunglass too.
One can't imagine going outside without equipping the sunglasses. Outdoor activists, cyclists, mountaineers and golfers swear by the protection offered by the sunglasses. However, regular piece of a sunglass simply can't withstand the glare reflection and one can't see things when in full bright sun.
Apart from mere protection from light and glare, specialized polarized sunglasses have entered the market. One of them is known as Polarized ?progressive lenses? which are perfect for someone who is suffering from presbyopia, but is outdoor enthusiast. For someone whose eyes are sensitive to light, polarized ?photo chromic lenses? is the ideal solution. They dynamically change from dark-outside to light-inside. This helps when you change your environments too frequently and the amount of light intensity differs too drastically. The eye cannot distinguish between patches of ice and moguls due to the poor contrast. This can prove dangerous, especially in somewhat low light conditions.
Most importantly, from the outer appearance, these sunglasses don't appear any different from the regular ones and still give the added benefit. A group of experts argue that like other environments, polarized sunglasses will reduce the glare and will improve the visibility. Other group says that they have a disadvantage of not providing enough contrast and therefore they may not be beneficial for skiers. The eye cannot distinguish between patches of ice and moguls due to the poor contrast. This can prove dangerous, especially in somewhat low light conditions.
These days, many sunglasses claim to be polarized but in truth they are not. There is a simple test which will enable you to determine the claim. Find any surface which is reflective (bonnet of a car, for example) and look towards it through one of the polarized lenses. Then, slowly rotate the glasses to an angle of 90 degrees, while continuously observing the degree of reflection. If the glasses are indeed polarized, you should see a significant reduction glare as you rotate the glass. If such is not the case, then you have been min-informed.
It is very essential for a person using spectacles to get it repaired at regular timely intervals. More over one should get his eye checked as and when prescribed by the doctor.
When sunglasses were first invented they were not to help protect your eyes or even for their good looks. They were actually invented so a roman emperor could watch gladiators. Another early use of sunglasses was for interrogations in China over 500 years ago. Also, judges in China wanted to hide their facial expressions so they would wear shades so the witnesses could not see their reactions.
In the 18th century sunglasses saw a change. James Ayscough began experimenting with tinted lenses in spectacles. When Sam Foster introduced the shades to America in 1929, they became an instant hit.
Different from their predecessors, these glasses were designed to protect their wearer's eyes from the sun. Lens polarization soon followed thanks to Edwin Land who utilized his panted Polaroid filter to make sunglasses. Sunglasses sure came a long way from the Roman and Chinese roots.
So what is the Big Deal about Polarized Glasses?
Upon striking the water or any reflective surface, light becomes polarized. Nearly all of the light waves in polarized light move in one plane. Normal light waves move in many planes, while polarized lenses allow only light in one plane to pass through the lens. Thus polarized glasses nearly eliminate the glare.
Although sunlight is not polarized, water's surface reflects and transmits the separated components. The light literally breaks into the vertical and horizontal component, with the horizontal component reflected first. To nearly eliminate the glare, engineers designed a vertically polarized lens. The sun's height also affects polarization. Fishermen often wear polarized glasses with filters to help block the light reflected by the water's surface. Thus they can see under the surface of the water.
Can polarized glasses really work against the sun and get rid of all reflections?
No, these sun glasses eliminate parts of the reflective light and thus reduce the glare.
Should people who like to fish think about purchasing polarized glasses?
Reflective surfaces, like the water, reflect a great deal of light, and thus the bright spots can distract the fisherman or even hide objects, like the fish. Good sunglasses will eliminate the glare with polarization. Natural or artificial light can polarize. Anytime you look at a lake or river, you are seeing naturally polarized light. The reflected glare off the water is the light that doesn't make it through the "filter" of the water, and thus you cannot see anything below the surface, even when the water is clear.
Polarized light results from light striking the surface of the water horizontally. Fishermen wear polarized lenses that allow vertically polarized light to enter, and thus he can see into the water and spot fish and structure.
How do polarized sun glasses and normal sun glasses differ?
It is important to buy glasses that you feel comfortable with. You should not purchase polarized glasses just because they say they are better. But the truth is that normal sunglasses merely decrease the intensity of all light passing through their lenses. Polarized light also decreases light, but it does so selectively. Thus the polarized lenses selective eliminate the reflection from the light off the water's surface.
Polarized glasses are great for a variety of outdoor sports and projects. They are great in the winter, summer, fall, and spring. You really do not need to buy any other sun glasses if you own a pair of polarized sun glasses.
If you are interested in purchasing a pair of polarized sun glasses the Internet is a great source of information. You may even find a few good sites to make your purchase from.
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