Polarized Sunglasses: Why Are They Good?

Polarized sunglasses are superior to regular shades in many ways. We all know that they reduce glare, but how can that be helpful? Are they really that much better than a $5.00 pair from 7-11? Yes, and here are a few examples of why.

Polarized sunglasses do reduce glare, and that is great for drivers of cars, boats, snowmobiles, and anything else that regularly comes with a lot of glare. Being able to see clearly can mean the difference between an accident and a good day.

For fisherman, the glare created on the surface of the water from the sun is greatly reduced, allowing them to see fish they would not normally be able to. Polarized lenses can also cut down on road glare for auto drivers, and even reduce the phenomenon known as "mirages", where the road appears to turn to water in the distance.

Skiers can benefit from them, as well, but be aware that they may in fact reduce the glare on dangerous ice patches, causing the skier to miss important warning signs.

Also, polarized lenses make reading LCD screens very difficult. You'll need to remove them for viewing things like bank ATMs, checkout line screens, laptops, handheld devices, etcetera. That, to me, is a minor inconvenience for the quality of the lenses.

By reducing glare caused by bright sunlight, we are able to see things much more crisply and clearly. I personally wear a clamping variety which fits over my prescription eyeglasses. Every time they break or I lose a pair, I immediately replace them. Trust me, they are that good.

Whether your sunglasses are polarized or not, always make sure they explicitly say they protect against UV rays. Those rays cause all kinds of eye problems, up to and including cancer. Protect those peepers!