Polarized Sunglasses vs UV Protection

UV protection versus polarized sunglasses- do they go hand-in-hand or can you only have one without the other? A lot of people aren’t exactly sure about how these two sunglass qualities work with one another, or if one is better to have than the other. The truth is it depends on what you are looking for in a pair of sunglasses. But at the end of the day, everyone wants a pair of glasses that look stylish while providing protection from harmful sun rays. Here is what you need to know!

UV protection and polarized lenses are not the same thing, and no one should assume they are mutually inclusive. A pair of sunglasses can have just UV protection without polarized lenses and vice versa, or both polarization and UV protection! It really just comes down to the quality of the sunglasses and how they were made. Compared to non-polarized lenses, polarized lenses add more protection against severe light and reduce glare from horizontal light rays being reflected from many different kinds of reflective surfaces. Polarization comes in handy for many outdoor activities like fishing, water sports, and even driving your car. 

While polarized lenses and UV protection are often paired together in most high quality glasses, there are a lot of cheap pairs on the market that don’t have any UV protection. Ultraviolet eye protection is very important, more so than what polarization offers. Exposure to harmful UV rays has been linked to many serious eye complications like cataracts, macular degeneration, and even sunburns on your corneas. Serious damage can turn into lifelong complications and pain. If you think you are safe in the shade and in the winter, think again! UV rays reflect off of buildings and cars and can still cause damage through indirect exposure. In the winter, snow acts as an extremely reflective surface, so be sure to protect your eyes at all times of the year!

In the end, if you invest in a decent pair of sunglasses, you shouldn’t have trouble finding a pair that have both UV protection and polarized lenses. Be sure to read the label on the sunglasses before purchasing and see that they are in fact polarized.

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