You might be under the impression that sunglasses are a relatively modern invention, however, a lot or people are unaware of the fact that sunglasses have been around for much longer than they think. In this article, we will take a closer look at the history behind the invention of polarized lenses, as well as the kind of benefits that people can gain from wearing them.
Sunglasses with Polarized lenses have in actual fact been around for more than 7 decades, and were actually invented in the mid 1930’s by a scientist names Edwin Land. Mister Land had been conducting experiments into the polarization of lenses for a number of years before finally making the breakthrough. Thanks to his determination and persistence, we can now all enjoy spending time outdoors when the sun is at its zenith without worrying whether our eyes are getting damaged. As well as protecting our eyes from the harmful effects of the UV rays that our sun gives off, they are also great at reducing glare. Glare is the reflection of the sun’s rays on a shiny or reflective surface, such as a lake, river or pond, or even a wet road. One of the hazards that many drivers face, is the fact that after a rainstorm, if the sun makes an appearance, the wet road can act like a mirror, blinding the driver.
Testing for Polarization
You may not be aware that your sunglasses have polarized lenses fitted to them, however, there is a simple and straightforward test that you can carry out in order to determine this. The best and most simple method for testing whether the lenses in your sunglasses have polarized filters is to put them on and then look for a reflection of an object in a reflective surface. It is important to note that you should avoid looking at the reflective surface head on, and instead you need to look at it at an acute angle. If your lenses do not have polarized filters in them, then there will be no noticeable difference in the intensity of the reflection of the image.
Uses for Polarized Sunglasses
People that enjoy a bit of fishing often make use of sunglasses with polarized lenses, as they help to reduce the amount of glare from the water’s surface. It does not matter if you enjoy sea or river fishing, if the sun is shining brightly, there is going to be an awful amount of glare coming back from the surface of the water. This glare can reduce your chances of landing that all important catch, as you will not be able to see under the surface of the water, and thus you will not be able to tell where in the water your catch is.
You do not have to spend extortionate amounts of money on polarized lenses for them to do a good job. Cheap polarized shades are just as effective in filtering out the harmful UV rays and reducing glare. People that drive are also the kind of people that benefit from using polarized lenses in their sunglasses, as it will help to reduce the amount of glare given off by the reflection of the sun on the surface of the road.
In addition to driving and helping with people interested in fishing and other water based pastimes, sunglasses with polarized lenses are also becoming more and more popular with participants in other sports. It is now not uncommon to see other sports stars, from golfers, baseball outfielders and cyclists, wearing sunglasses which contain lenses that have polarized filters.
In Conclusion
As you can see, there are many benefits to wearing sunglasses that have polarized lenses in them, least of all to reduce glare when driving or cycling. There are thousands of different designs of sunglasses to choose from, and many will come with lenses that have polarization built-in. If you are unsure of the benefits of polarized lenses, ask your local optometrist for advice, as they may be able to show you the difference between having polarized lenses and not having them. Once you have worn sunglasses with polarized lenses for a time, you will wonder how you managed without them.
