How to Tell if Sunglasses Are Polarized

There are a lot of questions around polarized lenses, making purchasing decisions and care unclear. Are they for fishermen, are they for post-cataract surgery, or are they for those in lots of snow and glare?

Truly, anyone who is serious about protecting their eyes from UV rays and visual strain should consider polarized lenses. But how do you know if your lenses are actually polarized? What do polarized lenses really do? And are they right for you?

Vint & York is here to answer your polarized questions, so you can shop smarter and see clearer.

How Can You Tell If Sunglasses Are Polarized?

You don’t have to take your sunglasses to the water to tell if they are polarized. There is a really simple phone test. Open a white screen, like Notes, or a blank webpage. Put on the glasses and hold the phone in front of you, then rotate the phone 90 degrees and if the screen darkens or changes color, your glasses are polarized.

Another test is taking another pair of polarized lenses, holding one lens in front of the other, and rotating 90 degrees. If the resulting overlapping area is entirely dark, both lenses are polarized.

Of course, you can also try them by a body of water, and see if you can see beneath the surface, but it may not be convenient.

What Are Polarized Lenses?

Polarized lenses are treated with a chemical film that filters horizontal light waves, reduces glare and improves clarity and contrast, especially in bright sunlight and were invented in 1936 by Edwin H. Land, the founder of the Polaroid Corporation.

Land developed a synthetic polarizing filter, now a film, from microscopic crystals aligned in a plastic sheet, which he used to create the first polarized sunglasses. Initially, pilots and drivers used them, but they quickly became popular in sporting communities because they also block horizontal light reflections from water and flat surfaces. 

Do Polarized Sunglasses Block UV Rays?

All polarized lenses are created equally, and some do not block out harmful UV rays. Be sure when you are shopping for polarized glasses that they are labeled “100% UV Protection”, or “UV400”. At Vint & York, our polarized sunglasses have complete UV protection and scratch-resistant coatings.

What’s the Difference Between Regular Tinted Sunglasses and Polarized Sunglasses?

Tinted sunglasses reduce brightness, but they do not eliminate glare. Polarized filters block reflected light, improving contrast and visual clarity, which is particularly helpful when the eyes adjust to clearer vision after cataract surgery or other ocular interventions that cause light sensitivity.

Are Polarized Sunglasses Better for Driving?

Polarized lenses reduce glare by blocking horizontal light reflections, and they reduce glare from other car hoods, asphalt, and other vehicles, giving drivers greater visibility. If you spend a good deal of time commuting or are on the road frequently as part of your occupation, you should consider the benefits of polarized lenses. It is important to note that certain LCDs, including digital dashboards and GPS screens, may be distorted with polarized lenses, so test them before committing.

Can You Wear Polarized Sunglasses While Using a Smartphone or Laptop?

Liquid Crystal Displays, or LCD screens, use polarized light to control the visibility of images and colors. They have polarizing filters at perpendicular angles, with a layer of liquid crystals between them. Unpolarized light enters a screen, the first filter polarizes it, and the second rotates it (like the 90-degree test in the question above) to match the orientation of the second polarizing filter. Because smartphones and many laptops use polarized light, it can distort the images and visuals when wearing polarized glasses.

Should All Glasses Be Polarized?

If you are frequently outside and exposed to UV light, or in situations where you face a lot of glare, opticians and ophthalmologists recommend polarized lenses to reduce glare and decrease eye strain. As a bonus, they make colors appear richer and sharper. 

Do Polarized Sunglasses Look Different from Regular Ones?

Unlike years ago when post-cataract sunglasses had one shape, or when pilots only wore aviators, the polarization technology is just a lens, not a style. Lenses come in many styles, from retro acetate to modern aviators and cat eyes. It is not an either-or situation in polarized sunglasses; performance and aesthetics can go hand in hand.

Do I Need Polarized Sunglasses After Cataract Surgery?

Polarized sunglasses are practically a necessity following cataract surgery. While eyes adjust to clearer vision, glare is particularly common amongst post-surgery patients. Eyes are more sensitive to light after surgery, and high-quality polarized lenses ease this transition and protect your eyes from UV rays. 

Interested in Taking the Polarized Plunge? 

Shop stylish, polarized sunglasses that are essential to protecting your eyes, enhancing your vision, and elevating your style. We offer polarized lenses in various models, delivering form, function, and retro flair.