How To Tell If Your Sunglasses Are Polarized
Sunglasses are an addition to our protective gear throughout the whole year, even though some people need to wear them only in summer. But, the truth is that the UV rays from the sun can damage our eyes too, just like they can do that with our skin, so it’s always a good idea to invest in quality polarized sunglasses, that will protect your eyes and the skin around them. A lot of us consider them as a fashionable and statement piece, and we fail to check their UV filter, or if they are polarized, based only on how it looks on us.
Today, we are also able to purchase our sunglasses online, and that’s why we have to find a reliable seller, that guarantees the quality. If you want a good product, you need to pay a visit to otticasm.com, so you can see what they offer. Polarized sunglasses can protect you from the intense sunlight since they need to block a part of the waves of the light, but still, let some of them in, so you can still see the things around you. But, a lot of the cheap models are only shady, without the needed chemical coating, that will reflect the light.
Polarized lenses are usually tinted too, like the usual ones, but they help you see the world completely, without any barrier between your eyes and the nature around you. Also, they block the reflection from the other surfaces, which not all glasses can do. So, when you are buying new pair, or you already have a few of them, and you aren’t sure they are properly polarized, you can do some of these things to find out:
Table of Contents
1. Perform the reflective surface test
img source: bestsunglassesbrand.com
You can use some metal shiny surface or even a mirror and put it under a ray of lights. You can even use a flashlight if there is no sun outside or put it under the ceiling lights. Make sure there is a reflection of light. Then take the sunglasses and hold them in front of your eyes, at a 20 cm distance, and check if you are able to see the surface through them nicely. Keep in mind that you may need to move them closer to you, or further, depending on the model and polarizing technologies. Then rotate them on different angles, and if you see differences in how you see the reflection, then you can conclude that the ones you have are polarized. Look through the lenses, to see if you see an intense version of the reflection, or it’s calmer. That the main indicator that shows you what’s happening.
2. Compare with a pair you are sure it’s polarized
img source: k-eyes.com
If you bought a polarized pair of sunglasses, and you paid a significant amount for them, you can use them as a model to check the other pairs you have. Compare the way you can see through them, and see if there is any difference. Put their lenses in a line, one over another, and try to see through them. The polarized ones should be first, and the others you test should stay closer to you. They need to be about 2 cm apart from each other. Now check if you can see through both of them nicely and clear. You can place them in front of direct sunlight or another source of artificial light, so you can compare the results. If the tested pair is polarized, the image you get will be darker than seen through one pair. If there is no difference, then the tested one is not polarized.
3. Look at the water surface
img source: amazon.com
If you are on a vacation, you can simply test them by looking over the water surface. The sunlight will take a dynamic course if there are waves, and we all know that the water both absorbs and reflects parts of the light. As you see through them and recognize that they reflect the glare of the reflection, you can conclude that your pair is polarized.
4. Check them with the computer screen
img source: sunglasswarehouse.com
Open some website with a lot of white surfaces on it, or turn off the night mode you are using. Modern screens are polarized too, and if you check your pair of sunglasses, and it reduces the visibility a lot. For a better result, maximize the brightness, put the sunglasses on, and sit in front of the screen. Make sure it’s on the same level with your eyes. As you turn your head, parts of the screen may disappear from your sight. The polarization on both surfaces cancels the brightest parts. If you don’t see a change, and the image just appears darker than usual, then they are probably not polarized.
What else do you have to know about polarized lenses?
Any model of sunglasses can be made with polarized lenses too. Don’t consider them as an expensive investment, because you have to do everything in your power to protect your eyes. Also, don’t let their colors confuse you. No matter if you want yellow sunglasses, blue, or green, if they are polarized, they will provide the expected level of protection. On the other hand, most of the reliable manufacturers will anyway provide models with a proper level of polarization. Only if you buy them from a source you don’t really trust, or you use that service for the first time, you have to check if your pair is good or not.
Another important thing is to avoid deciding who really needs them, and who not. We all need them, no matter if we ride a bike, swim, or only chill in front of a pool. If the lenses are properly tinted, they will provide partial protection, which is better than any low-quality pair, but the polarized ones will provide the best possible comfort and experience, letting you see the world around you better. So, go on and test your pair, or make sure you are buying from legitimate sources.
