When shopping for sunglasses, one of the key features to consider today is whether they’re polarized.
Polarized sunglasses help reduce annoying glare that can affect your vision, whether you’re driving, walking outdoors, or relaxing at the beach. No matter the sun’s position, polarized lenses enhance your vision, making a significant difference in clarity.
Polarized sunglasses also provide excellent protection for your eyes, helping to preserve your vision over time. It’s highly recommended that you wear a pair whenever you’re out in the sun. But how can you tell if your sunglasses are truly polarized?
Here are some simple ways to check.
How to Tell if Your Sunglasses Are Polarized?
The quickest way to check if your sunglasses are polarized is by reading the product description. Polarized sunglasses are typically advertised as such, often with test tags or stickers to indicate polarization.
However, some products may be misleading, and manufacturers are aware of this. To address it, most reputable sunglass brands include small test tags or stickers to verify their polarization claims.
Unfortunately, counterfeits are common in the sunglasses market, and fake test tags or stickers can be easily printed. Let’s look at a simple method to verify if both the sunglasses and their test sticker are genuine.
If your sunglasses are new, they may have a test sticker on the lens. To use it, hold the sunglasses horizontally and tilt them at an angle. If the sticker appears darker as you tilt, the sunglasses are polarized. If the color doesn’t change, they are not polarized.
Not all brands use this test method, but it’s a quick and reliable way for consumers to check for polarization.
If your sunglasses don’t come with test stickers, or if you want to test an older pair, you can use an LCD screen instead.
Hold your sunglasses in front of a lit LCD screen, such as a computer, phone, or tablet. Then, rotate the sunglasses at a 60- to 90-degree angle. If the lenses become noticeably darker or turn black, your sunglasses are polarized. If there’s no change, they’re not polarized.
This method works because LCD screens and polarized sunglasses use similar anti-glare and polarizing technology. Polarized lenses block horizontal light waves, allowing only vertical waves to pass through. Meanwhile, LCD screens emit only horizontal light waves, which clash with polarized lenses, resulting in a darkened or black screen.
You can also test this with a known pair of polarized sunglasses. Just make sure they’re truly polarized to avoid inaccurate results.
To test for polarization using two pairs of sunglasses, align them and look through the lenses of both at the same time. Rotate one pair at an angle while keeping the other horizontal. If both are polarized, the overlapping lenses will appear darker; if nothing changes, the sunglasses you’re testing are not polarized.
Another simple way to check for polarization, especially when you’re outside without access to an LCD screen, is to observe your view through the lenses. Look for a reflective surface like water, sand, or any area where there’s noticeable glare. Be cautious not to stare directly into intense glares.
Hold your sunglasses horizontally and then rotate them at a 60-degree angle. If the glare reduces or disappears and the lens darkens, your sunglasses are polarized. If there’s no change, they aren’t polarized.
Polarized sunglasses are designed to cut down on glare significantly, so testing them in a glare-heavy environment is a quick way to verify their authenticity. When wearing polarized lenses, you should experience clearer vision, reduced glare, and improved visibility in both bright and low-light conditions.
Final Words
While sunglasses can be a significant investment, not all pairs are created equal. With so many shapes, sizes, and colors available, finding the perfect pair can be challenging. But with polarized sunglasses, you can trust that your eyes are getting superior protection against harmful UV rays and annoying glare.
If you’ve been wearing polarized sunglasses for a while, you may already be familiar with the difference between polarized and mirrored lenses. Even if you’re not an expert, the distinction is often noticeable to the naked eye.
However, sometimes it can be hard to tell if a pair is truly polarized. If you’re unsure, the testing methods we covered above are foolproof ways to verify if your lenses are polarized. Each method provides reliable results, so you can be confident about the level of protection your sunglasses offer.