Polarised Lenses – The Most Effective Way to Reduce UV Radiation

Eye care
Written By Lucinda Howard
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Polarised lenses have been available for decades, but much research has been undertaken to assess their ocular benefits over time.

But what are Polarised Lenses?

Light rays travel in all directions, but when light rays reflect from a surface, the light rays tend to be strongest in the horizontal, vertical or diagonal. Unlike a standard tint, polarised lenses are laminated with millions of parallel rows of tiny iodine crystals or dichroic dyes, which are minute vertical stripes that only allow vertically angled light to enter the eye. Glare is, therefore, eliminated because the horizontal and diagonal light waves cannot bypass the vertical filter. Polarisation blocks as much as 50% of the light passing through a lens to the eye, and although the eye looking through the lens can still see clearly, it reduces the brightness and glare of light and associated reflections.

Sunglasses and camera lenses are often polarised to reduce surface glare, such as light reflecting from a lake's surface or a car's bonnet. Notably, most polarised lenses block UV-a and UV-b radiation, and some even block UV-c.

Because the polarising stripes reduce the light entering the eye, these lenses should not be used at night or in other situations requiring clear lenses. Polarised lenses can cause distortions in the way wearers see liquid crystal displays (LCDs), rendering some cell phone screens, clocks, and other displays unreadable. Pilots should not use polarised glasses because they can make flight instruments challenging to read and other objects in the sky — including other aeroplanes — less visible.

Maui Jim Sunglasses

Drawing on my own experience, I have been wearing polarised sunglasses for about 15 years, and quite frankly, I’ll never wear anything else. Reading a book in the sun is comfortable, and rather than scrunching up my eyes to reduce glare, I can be contented and read for longer with the polarised lenses.

We now stock Maui Jim sunglasses, available as prescription and non-prescription sunglasses and as off-the-shelf bifocal readers. There are many styles, shapes, and lens colours to suit every wearer: the golfer, the sailor, the cyclist, the walker, or just for looking fabulous having a long summer lunch outside or reading by the pool.

Essilor's Varilux lenses are available in more complex prescriptions in various polarised colours.

If you have any questions about the options available to you or would like to view the collection, don't hesitate to contact the East Grinstead practice to book a no-obligation dispensing appointment with Nicola or Annie.

Lucinda Howard
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