When Should You Not Wear Polarized Sunglasses?
Sunglasses are a must-have accessory for many people, especially during the sunny days of summer. They not only protect your eyes from harmful UV rays, but they also add style to your outfit. Among the various types of sunglasses available, polarized sunglasses have gained popularity due to their ability to reduce glare and improve visual clarity. However, there are situations when wearing polarized sunglasses may not be ideal. In this article, we will explore when you should avoid wearing polarized sunglasses.
But first, let's understand what polarized sunglasses are. Polarized sunglasses have a special coating on the lenses that helps reduce glare caused by reflected light. They work by filtering out horizontal light waves that bounce off surfaces such as water, snow, and pavement, which can cause intense glare and discomfort. Polarized sunglasses are commonly used for outdoor activities such as driving, fishing, and skiing, as they can greatly enhance visual comfort in bright conditions.
So, when should you not wear polarized sunglasses?
Skiing and Snowboarding
Although polarized sunglasses are excellent at reducing glare, they may not be the best choice for skiing or snowboarding. In snowy conditions, the reflective properties of snow can provide valuable visual cues for depth perception and terrain recognition. Polarized lenses can diminish these cues, making it harder to navigate the slopes safely. It's better to opt for non-polarized sunglasses with high-quality lenses designed for snow sports, which provide better contrast and visual clarity.
LCD Screens
If you spend a significant amount of time looking at LCD screens, such as those on smartphones, tablets, and some car displays, polarized sunglasses may interfere with your ability to see the screens clearly. LCD screens emit polarized light, and when you wear polarized sunglasses, the lenses may block or distort the light, resulting in reduced visibility and color distortion. In such cases, it's recommended to use non-polarized sunglasses or remove your sunglasses to view the screens properly.
Flying
When you're up in the air, whether it's on an airplane or a helicopter, polarized sunglasses may not be the best choice. Aircraft windows are usually equipped with anti-glare coatings that can interfere with polarized lenses, causing a "rainbow effect" or "oil slick" appearance on the windows, which can obstruct your view. It's advisable to use non-polarized sunglasses or no sunglasses at all when flying to ensure unobstructed vision.
Downhill Biking
If you're an avid mountain biker who loves riding downhill, polarized sunglasses may not be the best option. When biking downhill, you need to be able to see the changes in the terrain, such as rocks, roots, and ruts, to navigate safely. Polarized lenses can reduce contrast and depth perception, making it harder to spot these obstacles. Non-polarized sunglasses with high contrast lenses are more suitable for downhill biking, as they can provide better visibility and help you avoid potential hazards.
Nighttime Driving
While polarized sunglasses are great for reducing glare during the day, they are not recommended for nighttime driving. Polarized lenses can reduce the visibility of low-light conditions, such as at dusk or dawn, or during nighttime driving. They can also make it difficult to see road signs, traffic signals, and other important visual cues on the road. It's best to avoid wearing polarized sunglasses when driving at night and opt for regular sunglasses or no sunglasses at all.
In conclusion, polarized sunglasses are an excellent choice for reducing glare and improving visual comfort in bright conditions. However, there are situations when wearing polarized sunglasses may not be ideal, such as skiing or snowboarding, looking at LCD screens, flying, downhill biking, and nighttime driving.