Polarised Lenses Explained

Polarised lenses can be used in sunglasses to offer additional protection for your eyes to help avoid strain. They can also help to reduce reflection and glare from your sunglasses to improve vision quality. They are particularly effective for activities that involve exposure to reflective surfaces such as snow, water, or even windows. If you're an avid skier or someone who spends considerable time enjoying water sports, polarised are a must to ensure you can enjoy perfect vision.

Sunglasses with polarised lenses

Polarised lenses can be added to any of our sunglasses, adding an extra dimension to their use. The addition of polarised lenses costs £40 per pair of glasses, making it a cost effective choice for the advantages they bring.

Eliminating glare

Polarised lenses are designed to effectively reduce glare by filtering out horizontally oriented light waves that create reflections and intense glare off flat surfaces such as water, roads, and glass. 

They contain a special filter that only allows vertically polarised light to pass through while blocking horizontally polarised light. When bright, horizontal light waves bounce off surfaces, they become polarised in a specific direction, leading to blinding glare. 

Polarised lenses align their filter to counteract this polarisation, allowing only the vertically polarised light to reach your eyes. As a result, glare is significantly diminished, enhancing visual comfort and clarity, reducing eye strain, and providing better visibility, especially in outdoor activities like driving, boating, or skiing.

Types of polarised lenses

Lenses are available in varying degrees and methods of polarisation. The majority of budget polarised sunglasses utilise a thin film that is applied to one side of the lens. More premium lenses typically incorporate a film that is sandwiched between two layers of lens material, offering protection against scratches and abrasion. Lenses that incorporate a higher density film will offer a greater level of polarisation than those with a thinner film.

Generally, polarised sunglasses appear no different from their non-polarised counterparts. Although denser films tend to result in darker lenses, the lens colour itself does not influence the level of polarisation it offers.

A pair of sunglasses with a very dark hue and a light film will not reduce glare more effectively than a lighter-shaded pair with a denser film. The lens colour is also customisable, with polarised lenses available in shades like grey, brown, green, or other colours, although they cannot be made completely clear.

How polarised lenses work

The magic behind polarised lenses lies in their ingenious design. They feature a lamination with vertical stripes that acts as a filter, allowing only vertically polarised light to reach your eyes. This selective filtering mechanism efficiently eliminates glare since horizontally polarised light waves are unable to pass through this polarised barrier. The result is a remarkably improved visual experience, free from the discomfort and blinding effect of glare.

Can polarised lenses be fitted to any frames?

Polarised lenses can be fitted to any of our sunglasses to take your sunglasses to the next level. To add polarised lenses to your order you can select the "polarised lenses" option during checkout - it couldn't be easier.

Find out more about polarised lenses in our dedicated polarised lenses blog. If you need further assistance, or would like to know a little more about polarised lenses and how they can enhance your new sunglasses, get in touch with us today!

Polarised sunglasses vs normal sunglasses

Both types of sunglasses offer great protection against bright light and UV rays, but polarised lenses will help to block blinding glare. Polarised sunglasses offer a greater level of vision clarity, comfort, and colour contrast while also blocking all harmful UVA and UVB rays. 

Polarised Lenses FAQs

What are polarised lenses?

Polarised lenses have a unique filter that prevents glare caused by light reflecting off surfaces like water, roads, or snow. A lot of the time they also include UV protection, shielding your eyes from harmful rays that can cause long-term damage such as cataracts. They are perfect for driving and outdoor activities as they improve clarity and minimise eye strain.

How do polarised lenses work?

Polarised lenses filter light by blocking horizontal light waves that cause glare. This allows only vertical light to pass through, improving visibility and comfort. Think of it like a window blind that lets in light selectively.

What advantages do polarised lenses offer?

• Minimises glare and eye strain.
• Improves contrast and colour perception.
• Offers protection from UV rays (if marked UV400 or 100% UV).
• Improves comfort during outdoor activities like driving, fishing, or skiing.

Are polarised lenses better than regular sunglasses?

Polarised lenses are a specialised type of sunglass lens that offers a reduction in glare and an improvement in clarity - this makes them more suited to use where these qualities are important. For example, polarised lenses can offer a greater level of eye comfort when driving, playing sports, or taking part in watersports. Both polarised lenses and sunglasses offer 100% UVA and UVB protection.

Can polarised lenses be used while driving?

Definitely! By reducing glare from sunshine, rainy roads, and car windows, polarised lenses make driving safer and more comfortable.

Do polarised lenses work with digital screens?

No, polarised lenses can make LCD and LED screens appear distorted or harder to read. This includes devices like smartphones, GPS systems, and car dashboards - this should be considered when choosing which lens is best suited for you and your needs. For our best screen-use glasses, check out our blue light blocking glasses - these glasses protect your eyes against the harmful blue light emitted from digital screens.

Can I add polarised lenses to any frame?

Polarised lenses can be added to the majority of our frames - simply select the frame of your choice, and during the checkout process select the polarised lens coating option.

Can I wear polarised lenses at night?

Polarised lenses are better for daytime use as they reduce overall light, making it harder to see in low-light conditions.

How can I tell if my sunglasses are polarised?

To test, look at a digital screen (like a phone) while wearing the lenses. Tilt your head sideways, and if the screen darkens or distorts, your lenses are likely polarised.

Can I add polarised lenses to my existing frames?

Yes, you can add polarised lenses to your existing frames through a process called reglazing. This involves replacing your current lenses with new polarised ones. However, it's not possible to add polarisation to your existing lenses - you'll need to have new lenses made specifically with the polarised coating.