Polarized Versus Non-Polarized Ray Ban Sunglasses

[M. Charles]

I have a pair of Ray Ban new wayfarers that aren't polarized. A friend said that the polarized version are much better for my eyes. Is this true? The only other reason I would have to get another pair is that mine are grey/green tortoise and I like the brown tortoise slightly better. Thanks.

 

[Mark from Plano]

Depends on what you're using them for. I'm no expert on the optics, but in my non-expert opinion, when I need very clear vision I need polarized lenses. I always avoided playing golf in sunglasses, for example, until I got a good pair of polarized lenses. Now my vision is as crisp with the sunglasses as without.

 

[Eason]

Polarized sunglasses protect your eyes, non-polarized lenses do not.

 

[JustinW]

Polarized lenses fade a lot slower.

 

[M. Charles]

Well, from what I gleaned from that authoritative source Wikipedia, it seemed the main advantage of polarization was clarity rather than protecting from UV rays or other things. I'm not as worried about clarity per se, although perhaps I should be. The model I have has worked well for me, walking around or driving.

 

[M. Charles]

Originally Posted by JustinW

Polarized lenses fade a lot slower.

What do you mean, "fade a lot slower"?

 

[Harold falcon]

Originally Posted by Eason

Polarized sunglasses protect your eyes, non-polarized lenses do not.

That really isn't true. Polarization has nothing to do with UV protection, it is designed to reduce glare. If your eyes are light sensitive then Polarized lenses may be for you. It has more to do with your personal preference than "protection".

 

[M. Charles]

Originally Posted by harvey_birdman

That really isn't true. Polarization has nothing to do with UV protection, it is designed to reduce glare. If your eyes are light sensitive then Polarized lenses may be for you. It has more to do with your personal preference than "protection".

So polarized lenses are darker?

 

[Mark from Plano]

Originally Posted by harvey_birdman

That really isn't true. Polarization has nothing to do with UV protection, it is designed to reduce glare. If your eyes are light sensitive then Polarized lenses may be for you. It has more to do with your personal preference than "protection".

This is my understanding as well. UV protection is one thing. Polarization is another. Polarization is more about clarity IIUC.

 

[JustinW]

Originally Posted by M. Charles

What do you mean, "fade a lot slower"?
See the megathread from our resident optician (City something? Connection?) as I can't recall the details - but my non-Polarized Rayban lenses faded to a pink color.

 

[texas_jack]

Polarized make the world look so much better. I don't wear anything else.

 

[Matt]

ya, I found once I went polarised it was really hard to go back. Big difference in glare reduction.

 

[Blackhood]

The key difference is actually what you use them for.

Light bounces off of reflective surfaces such as glass and water, and also renders colours such as blues and greens a little washed out. Polarized lenses prevent this but there are significant drawbacks:

1. Cell Phone, PDAs, Computer Screens, SatNavs and almost all other portable screens are polarized, which means that when you view them with polarized glasses they can sometimes be rendered black (And thus un-usable).

2. Omitting waves of light on a particular oscillation (polarization is essentially like looking through a Venetian blind) removes that light from your vision. If you are driving for instance, this could present problems as you wont be receiving the full spectrum of information that could be being displayed to you.

Examples:

When I am flying, if another aircraft is in the distance at 3o'clock and the sun is at 10o'clock then the only way I will see the other aircraft is by seeing the sun reflecting off of it. With Polarized glasses all I see is a speck of dark in the distance which is very easy to miss. The light saved me from crashing into the guy. - Result: Never wear Polarized glasses for Flying

When I'm fishing/surfing the glare from the sun bouncing off the water is not only blinding, it stops me seeing what is in the water with any great ease. By blocking the reflected light with polarized glasses I can see through the water as the excess light is no longer visible. - Result: Wear Polarized lenses for water sports.

When it comes to driving I personally don't think that it matters, I have both Ray Ban P and Ray Ban glasses but I stick to the non-polarized ones because I can see my satnav and CD player much more easily without them.

Edit: Woah, I never realised I knew/cared that much about polarization.

 

[jgold47]

Originally Posted by Blackhood

When I'm fishing/surfing the glare from the sun bouncing off the water is not only blinding, it stops me seeing what is in the water with any great ease. By blocking the reflected light with polarized glasses I can see through the water as the excess light is no longer visible. - Result: Wear Polarized lenses for water sports.

I call my polarized fishing glasses my x-ray specs because of how much better I can see into the water. Its like night and day. I also find that my eyes are not as tired after a day of fishing once I switched to polarized. But like Blackhood said, sometimes looking through car windows, my phone, etc.. gets very distracting with the distortion.

 

[retronotmetro]

Originally Posted by Blackhood

When it comes to driving I personally don't think that it matters, I have both Ray Ban P and Ray Ban glasses but I stick to the non-polarized ones because I can see my satnav and CD player much more easily without them.

I wear polarized sunglasses for driving because they cut the windshield/dashboard glare inside the car. Luckily, the polarization on my current nav system display is aligned properly for use with polarized shades. My previous car had a screen that was 90 degrees off, so it would black out completely if I wore polarized glasses.