{"id":723,"date":"2022-05-26T13:48:52","date_gmt":"2022-05-26T13:48:52","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.warbyparker.com\/learn\/?p=723"},"modified":"2026-04-02T03:12:25","modified_gmt":"2026-04-02T07:12:25","slug":"polarized-vs-non-polarized-sunglasses","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.warbyparker.com\/learn\/polarized-vs-non-polarized-sunglasses","title":{"rendered":"Polarized vs. Non-Polarized Sunglasses: Which Is Better?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Sunglasses<\/a> are powerful accessories. They protect your eyes from harmful UV rays, make you look the perfect amount of cool, and can even correct your vision just as well as regular prescription glasses<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Given the choice of polarized vs. non-polarized sunglasses, however, you might not know what to pick\u2014or even what \u201cpolarized\u201d means.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n

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Want to protect your eyes from glare?<\/h2>\n\t\t\t\t

Try polarized sunglasses<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t

\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tShop now <\/svg>\n<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n
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\u2018Polarized\u2019 Sunglasses Meaning<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Polarized sunglasses<\/a> have a special coating on their lenses that\u2019s especially good at blocking out glare. When you\u2019re wearing them, you might notice that colors and details appear sharper than when you wear \u201cnormal\u201d sunglasses.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What Do Polarized Lenses Do?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The key function of polarized lenses in sunglasses<\/a> is to reduce glare from the sun. But they can also make colors appear more vibrant, increase contrast, and even reduce the symptoms of eye strain<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

They\u2019re especially useful if you spend a substantial amount of time outdoors, as you probably want to avoid glare while getting the best view of the scenery.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How Do Polarized Sunglasses Work?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Polarized sunglasses reduce glare with lenses that are coated in a chemical filter. The filter works like the vertical slats of a fence or very tightly packed bars on a window: It won\u2019t allow anything long and horizontal through its gaps. So, when the horizontal wavelengths of glare try to pass through, they can\u2019t reach your eyes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hard to picture? Let\u2019s take a closer look at glare.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Most of the time, light scatters in lots of directions after it hits the various sides and angles of an object. But if the object is flat\u2014like a metal sheet, or the calm surface of a lake\u2014light bounces off in a single, concentrated direction and creates the super-bright effect known as glare.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

These light waves are also polarized, meaning they\u2019re mostly aligned one way\u2014in this case, horizontally. Luckily, your sunglasses will only permit vertically<\/em> polarized light past their lenses. That chemical filter absorbs everything else.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n

Negating glare with polarized sunglasses is both convenient and safe. Glare can cause discomfort and pain in your eyes<\/a>, which can lead to headaches, migraines, and even car accidents<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n