polarized sunglassesIn South Florida, nearly every day is a beach day. We’re lucky to live in a place where snowbirds go on vacation. It also makes sun protection an important consideration though, especially when it comes to our vision.

Many of us already own sunglasses with ultraviolet (UV) protection, which is great. If you spend a great deal of time outside, however, you may want to consider polarized sunglasses.

Here are some of the benefits of polarized sunglasses:

  1. They block horizontal light waves. The sun’s rays bounce off of reflective surfaces, such as a lake or the ocean. This can create an annoying glare that we have to fight against all day long when we’re outside. Polarized sunglasses are made with a special chemical that filters light. As a result, people who wear polarized sunglasses often report feeling less tired after long stretches of time outside, compared to when they wear regular sunglasses, as they don’t have to battle the sun’s glare.
  2. They make images crisper. When you look through polarized sunglasses, the images are slightly darker than regular sunglasses. Objects will also have greater clarity. If you enjoy taking your boat out fishing, for example, you may love the fact that details appear sharper. By filtering the light, polarized sunglasses make things easier to see.
  3. They can help provide some relief to those who are light-sensitive. If you have a condition that causes your eyes to be light-sensitive, polarized sunglasses may help to filter light better than regular sunglasses. Best of all, you can buy prescription or non-prescription glasses, depending on your vision needs. You can also wear them inside or outside, allowing you to feel comfortable in different types of lighting.

So are polarized sunglasses better? 

If you’re looking for less sun glare, clearer images and greater comfortability in bright lighting, yes. If you have trouble seeing liquid crystal display (LCD) screens, such as those found on your car dashboard or cellphone, polarized sunglasses may not be ideal. Dr. Benaim can discuss the benefits of polarized sunglasses with you, while keeping your unique vision needs in mind.

Additionally, most vision insurance providers have an “allowable” amount that you can use toward a pair of prescription glasses or prescription polarized sunglasses.

To see the difference polarized sunglasses can make, stop by our optical department — and get ready for some fun in the sun.