Which is better: Polarization or UV protection?

Anyone who has ever gone for a drive on a sunny day knows the importance of sunglasses. The glare of the sun can make it difficult to see the road, and its ultraviolet rays can cause eye fatigue. However, not all sunglasses are created equal. So which one is better? Polarized or UV protection? This article will tell you the answer after a detailed analysis.

What is Polarization?

How much do you know about polarization? In physics, polarization is the process by which a wave’s electric field becomes aligned with its magnetic field. This can happen in two ways: via reflection, or via refraction. Most polarization, however, occurs when light waves are scattered by particles that are smaller than the wavelength of the light. When this happens, the light waves become oriented in a particular way relative to the scattering particles. The resulting light is said to be “polarized.”

Benefits of Polarization

glare

- Glare Reduction


The biggest benefit of polarization is glare reduction. There must be many people who have been flashed by the blinding sunlight to the eyes, right? At that time, you not only can not look straight ahead, and even difficult to open your eyes. This happens when you are driving, or viewing the ocean. This can be the worst thing for many people. Polarization is a way to solve the glare. Sunglasses with polarization, on the other hand, are designed to filter out horizontal light waves. This helps to reduce glare and improve vision by eliminating one of the major sources of brightness. In addition, sunglasses with polarization can also help to reduce reflections from water and other surfaces. As a result, they are an essential piece of gear for anyone who spends time outdoors.

- Clarity


We have mentioned above, sunglasses with polarization can reduce glare. In addition to reducing glare, it can also help to improve contrast and clarity. By reflecting light and reducing irritation to the eyes, sunglasses with polarization effectively makes the field of view we can see clearer and more colorful. Otherwise, what you see may be a grayish blur. This can be especially helpful for people with certain conditions like cataracts or macular degeneration.

polarization

- Eyestrain Reduction


 However, many people are not aware that sunglasses can also help to reduce eye fatigue. When light reflects off of a surface, it becomes scattered, making it more difficult for our eyes to focus. This is why glare can be so bothersome, and why polarized lenses can be such a godsend. By filtering out scattered light, polarized lenses allow us to see more clearly and with less strain on our eyes. In addition to reducing eye fatigue, studies have also shown that polarization can improve depth perception and increase visual acuity.

eye

What is UV Protection?


UV protection is the process of protecting living tissue from ultraviolet (UV) radiation. UV radiation is a form of electromagnetic radiation that is invisible to the human eye but can be harmful to living cells. It is classified into three main types: UVA, UVB, and UVC. UVA rays are the longest in wavelength and can penetrate deep into the skin, causing premature aging. UVB rays are shorter in wavelength and are responsible for sunburns. UVC rays are the shortest in wavelength and are considered the most dangerous, but they are mostly absorbed by the Earth's atmosphere and do not reach the ground. Exposure to UV radiation can cause DNA damage, immune suppression, and skin cancer. Therefore, it is important to take steps to protect yourself from UV radiation, such as wearing sunscreen and avoiding prolonged exposure to direct sunlight.

UV protection

Benefits of UV Protection


The above article has mentioned a lot about what will be caused due to exposure to UV rays. And the biggest role of sunglasses with UV Protection is to protect your eyes from sun irritation and subsequent adverse effects. Not only your eyes, but it also protects the skin around your eyes from wrinkles caused by the sun.



Which is better to choose: Polarization or UV Protection?


Polarization and UV protection have absolutely nothing to do with each other. So you need to pay attention to their functions. Polarization sunglasses alone do not block UV rays while UV protection sunglasses cannot reduce the glare.


In comparison, sunglasses with polarization can be very expensive, which can be a big drawback for some people who don't want to spend too much money on sunglasses. But a pair of sunglasses only has UV protection is difficult to play a full range of eye protection.


So is there a solution to this? You need UV protection. It’s possible you want polarization, too. The good news is that you don’t have to pick and choose. Most glasses on the market now offer full UV 400 protection with polarized filters—so you can have your cake and eat it, too. For better protection of your eyes, choosing polarized sunglasses with UV protection is the best choice.

Learn more:

How do sunglasses filter UV rays?

What are the disadvantages of polarized sunglasses?