Imagine you are standing on the shore of a calm lake in early morning. What you see is a bright, glass-like mirrored surface on the water, with no detail, little contrast, and poor colour saturation. As you slip on your polarised glasses from Martin Reynolds Opticians, the bright, glass-like mirror is replaced with a scene that shows detail and has deep colours and good contrast. That’s what polarised lenses can do. Photographers use them to add bolder colours and deeper contrast to their photographs. The polarised lenses remove the glare and improve the visual quality of the picture, much the same way polarised ophthalmic lenses perform for the patients who wear them.

Polarised lenses are made from a special polarising film that is applied in the laboratory on the front surface of the lens. This film allows light rays to be filtered, consequently improving the vision in strong light conditions. Polarised lenses will protect you from UV rays, glare and intense light. In combination with a reflection-free coating, polarised lenses are ideal for fishing and driving.

Polarised Sunglasses at Martin Reynolds Opticians

For years, yachtsmen and fishermen have used polarised sunglasses to reduce glare from the water that they spend so much time on. In the past few years, however, the benefits of polarised sunglasses have been realised by a variety of other outdoor sports enthusiasts as well as by drivers and general use wearers. The popularity of polarised lenses has increased dramatically. Besides yachtsmen, people that benefit most from polarised sunglasses include skiers, golfers, bikers, and joggers, who enjoy a clearer view and elimination of glare.

How Do Polarised Lenses Work?

Light reflected from surfaces like a flat road or smooth water is generally horizontally polarised. This horizontally polarised light is blocked by the vertically oriented polarisers in the lenses.

The result: a reduction in annoying and sometimes dangerous glare.
There is some debate on the effects of polarised lenses on snow-covered surfaces. Some experts say they can reduce the intense glare that is caused by sunlight reflecting off snow. Others purport that the lenses are not satisfactory for sports such as downhill skiing because they may not provide the contrast the eye needs to distinguish ice patches or moguls.

In addition, polarised lenses may also react adversely with liquid crystal displays (LCDs) found on the dashboards of some cars or in other places, such as the digital screens on cash machines. The problem with LCDs is that when viewed through polarised lenses from a certain angle, the text can be invisible.

For most sports and activities, polarised sunglasses can offer great advantages. And today, many types of polarised lenses are available on the market. Whether you spend your time boating or water-skiing, inline skating or mountain biking, driving or jogging, polarised sunglasses are an excellent choice.

Understanding Polarised Light and Polarised Lenses

While they enjoyed only limited use among optical professionals for many years, polarised lenses have become the first choice for anyone interested in a comfortable and attractive sunglass lens.
The principle of polarised light reduction is best illustrated by thinking of a polarised lens as a Venetian blind. The blind blocks light at certain angles while allowing light to transmit through selected angles. Polarising filters are aligned 90° to the angle of the polarised light. As spectacle lenses are designed to eliminate the polarised light in the horizontal plane, the filter is placed vertically in the frame. This means that the filter must be properly aligned during surfacing and edging layout, otherwise the filter will not work properly.

Tint vs. Polarised

Although darkly tinted sunglasses may reduce brightness, they do not remove glare like a polarised lens. Today’s polarised lenses represent the best sunwear and outdoor lifestyle options available.

Advantages of Polarised Lenses at Martin Reynolds Opticians

Features

• Filters glare                                                         
• Enhances contrast
• Reduces squinting
• Constant density tints
• Backsurface AR compatibility
• Tintable and coatable
• Lightweight
• Thin

Benefits

• Reduces eyestrain, greater comfort
• Improves visual acuity, provides safety
• Eyes feel rested
• Realistic perception
• Reduces reflections and enhances visual clarity
• Certain lens materials can be darkened and provides limitless colour options
• Comfortable Attractive-looking sunwear