Oftentimes it may not be the blazing sunlight that is making you fish out your sunnies and wear them; it is also the fact that they make an outstanding style statement and go with any outfit you wear. While you may be a sucker for style, there are many who dig big brands, and some are just hoarders (guilty!).
In the midst of all this style craze, brand loyalty, and hoarding, we tend to forget what they are actually meant for – protecting your eyes. Optometrists believe it’s better to own one sturdy pair of sunglasses than ten trendy ones that don’t even offer UV protection. But with so many options in lenses and frames, you have to wonder which one is the right kind of sunglasses for you. Don’t worry, that’s why we’re here! Let’s get to know the difference between the two most popular picks: Tinted and Polarized Sunglasses.
Tinted Lenses For Sunglasses
These lenses are known to reduce glare when there is excess light. There are many tints available, the common ones being brown, blue and gray. While brown offers a warm hue, it is also notorious for distorting certain colors. If you’re into the neutral vibes, gray is a decent pick for you as it keeps the colors true to their appearance. If you’re picking up tinted sunglasses, keep in mind that darker shades are used for sunglasses, and lighter shades simply add a pop of color to your eyewear wardrobe. They do not completely get rid of the glare, only help make it less intense.
If you’re looking to get a pair of sunnies that offer 100% UV protection, it is essential to know tinted lenses do not protect you from the glare or horizontal reflection of light. Regardless of what color or density you choose, they will only protect you from UV and HEV rays. It is known that glasses that help reduce the intensity of light, also make the pupils dilate, this could eventually lead to cataract or macular degeneration.
Pros:
- It is believed that certain tinted sunglasses are known to provide sportspersons with a competitive advantage.
- People with sensitive eyes will be comfortable being out and about in the sun, as tinted sunglasses help reduce glare.
- Due to the variety of colors available for tinted sunglasses, this could be a great fashion statement.
- Yellow tinted sunglasses are known to enhance your vision in low-light environments and is also a go-to pick for most people.
Cons:
- As said before, tinted glasses do not get rid of the glare for you, nor does it protect you from horizontal reflection.
- While you may think blue-tinted glasses may protect you from Blu light, it does not, and are in fact bad for your eyes.
- Darker shades pose a higher risk, even for healthy individuals, if worn indoors.
Polarized Lenses For Sunglasses
If you thought glare only appeared from sunlight, then you’re wrong. Here’s where polarized sunglasses come in handy, as they reduce the glare from surfaces like water, snow, and even glass. These sunglasses are the first choice for sportspeople, drivers, etc. Similar to tinted glasses, polarized glasses come in a variety of tints and colors. The darker the shade you pick, the higher is the level of polarization.
Pros:
- Polarized lenses are known to not only reduce glare but also make the images appear sharper and clearer, increasing visual clarity and enhancing comfort.
- Eye strain is a by-product of glare. With polarized lenses reducing glare, the chances of you getting an eye strain is close to nil.
- If you’re heading out for some water sports or a beach holiday, polarized sunglasses are an excellent option’.
- Unlike tinted lenses, polarized sunglasses protect your eyes from UVA and UVB rays.
- Polarized sunglasses also improve color perception.
Cons:
- For the kind of advantages polarized sunglasses offer, they do not have a lot of variety to choose from.
- Choosing polarized lenses over tinted means burning a slight hole in your wallet
So what really is the difference between tinted and polarized lenses?
Polarized lenses have a special filter that only allows vertical light to pass through the lens, which works to reduce horizontal reflection. With polarized lenses, it is safe to say that they enhance visual clarity and offer greater contrast for objects near the ground and underwater. Moreover, they reduce eye strain and discomfort.
The only downside of polarized glasses is that it is more expensive than tinted glasses.
The Takeaway
If you’re someone who spends a large amount of time outdoors, polarized lenses are a great option. Bear in mind, they are obviously not going to protect you from staring right into the sun, but they do reduce bright reflection and unwanted glare.
