Let’s face it:
There’s nothing better than going out and enjoying some rays on a bright, sunny day, while wearing some stylish Ray Ban sunglasses!
Or is there?
It turns out the sun could be doing a lot more damage than you realize.
In this post, we’ll explore the difference between polarized ray bans vs non-polarized, and why you need each!
In a hurry? Grab my top choice for polarized Ray Bans, the classic Aviator style, over on Amazon now.
The Dangers of the Sun
Although the sun is a welcome and necessary part of our lives, it can be damaging as well.
Ultraviolet rays, also known as UV rays, can damage the cells in your eyes. These cells are extremely sensitive and are vulnerable to both the short and long term effects of UV rays.
Prolonged exposure to UV rays can build up over time and lead to eye problems later in life. This includes developing cataracts, a clouding of the eyes that is extremely common in people over the age of sixty.
The short-term effects of UV exposure can be unpleasant as well. While direct sunlight is extremely damaging to the eyes, reflected UV rays can potentially be worse.
And even though certain light absorbing materials such as grass or dirt don’t reflect UV rays well at all, other substances, such as snow, can reflect more than that.
For instance:
- Snow: The worst offender of all, snow can reflect up to eighty percent of UV rays.
- Seafoam: The reflective property of water can wreak havoc on the eyes. Seafoam can reflect up to twenty five percent of UV rays.
- Sand: Next time you go for a walk on the beach, grab some sunglasses! Sand can reflect up to fifteen percent of UV rays.
Reflected UV rays can be extremely damaging because many people don’t even realize it’s happening!
Certain safety precautions people take in the sunlight, such as wearing brimmed hats or not looking directly at the sun, aren’t effective when the UV rays are being reflected up at you from the ground.
So if your eyes feel tired or sore after a day at the beach, now you know why!
Luckily, wearing sunglasses is a great way to counteract the effects of reflected UV rays. Read on to find out how!
Polarized Ray Bans vs Non Polarized
When it comes to the protective power of sunglasses, the topic of polarized vs non polarized is a hot one.
Both sunglasses have their advantages but it’s up to you to determine which is the right fit for your lifestyle.
Polarized lenses – pros and cons
Polarized sunglasses are a popular choice for the vast majority of users. They offer the unique effect of blocking vertical light, which gets rid of the glare that can make it difficult to see while out and about.
In addition, polarized lenses provide several other unique advantages over non-polarized lenses:
- Reduce eyestrain: Because your eyes are not exposed to glare that can force your eyes to work harder than they should, polarized lenses can reduce eyestrain and soreness.
- Objects appear clearer: Once you stop straining your eyes, objects appear clearer and more defined!
- Improves depth perception: Glare can impair depth perception, which can be potentially dangerous when operating machinery such as a car.
- Provides visual clarity: Now that your eyes aren’t exposed to glare, it allows them to see what is actually there instead of being blocked by reflective sun rays.
Not only do polarized lenses block glare, but they also provide superior protection from harmful UV rays when compared to non-polarized lenses.
This is extremely important because your eyes are even more vulnerable to UV rays when wearing sunglasses.
Wearing sunglasses causes the pupil to widen, which can allow more UV rays than usual to damage your cells, so it’s important to wear sunglasses that can protect your eyes.
However, polarized lenses have their cons as well. Polarized lenses can lead to impaired vision in certain situations.
For instance, polarized lenses can make it difficult to see LCD screens, like the ones on cell phones or GPS devices) clearly.
It can also make it difficult to differentiate between changes in the landscape, such as the difference between snow or ice. This makes polarized lenses ill-suited for those of you who operate heavy machinery or aircraft.
Pros:
- Reduced glare
- Reduced eyestrain
- Enhanced visual clarity
- Improved depth perception
- Superior protection to UV rays
Cons:
- Difficult to see LCD screens
- Decreased vision in certain landscapes
Non-Polarized Lenses – pros and cons
Non-polarized lenses were the go-to option for sunglasses until the development for polarized lenses.
If you are short on cash or just need a quick pair for the day, non-polarized sunglasses are fine. They reduce the brightness of all kinds of light, which is helpful for reducing eyestrain.
Non-polarized sunglasses are a good option for those of you who have to operate heavy machinery while using LCD screens, such as a truck driver who uses a GPS.
The lenses will allow certain colors to come through that polarized lenses block.
However, if you don’t need them, I would heavily recommend polarized lenses over non-polarized. Non-polarized lenses don’t do anything to reduce glare, which will expose your eyes to unnecessary eyestrain.
In addition, they will also allow harmful UV rays to reach your eyes.
Remember how we said wearing sunglasses causes your pupils to widen, allowing more UV rays in? If you don’t absolutely need them, wearing non-polarized lenses can do more harm than good.
Pros:
- Better LCD visibility
- Reduce brightness
- Affordable
Cons:
- Does not reduce glare
- Increased susceptibility to UV rays
- Less visibility when compared to polarized lenses
Now that you know about the pros and cons of polarized vs non-polarized, read on for our editor’s pick of each!
Top Pick for Polarized Sunglasses: Ray-Ban Polarized Aviator Sunglasses
If you’re looking for a stylish pair of polarized sunglasses, look no further than Ray-Ban’s Polarized Aviator Sunglasses!
Coming in over thirty different color frame and lens combinations, Ray-Ban offers a look that’s personalized just for you.
Ray-Ban is one of the leaders within the protective eyewear industry and it shows in the quality of their products. The Polarized Aviator Sunglasses are made with a metal frame that sits comfortably on your face and offers 100% UV protection coating.
And unlike cheaper brands, the lenses are made of real glass! Just be careful when ordering through Amazon, since some of the options are non-polarized. You can see whether an option is polarized or non-polarized in the description.
This is an absolutely classic look that is hard to beat.
Pros:
- Enhanced glare protection
- Glass lenses
- 100% UV protective coating
- Tons of color options
- Metal frame
- Scratch resistant
Cons:
- Because the lenses are made of glass, these glasses are more delicate than other models made of plastic
- High price point
Jump over to Amazon to check out these awesome sunglasses now.
Note: Before you buy on Amazon, make sure that you’re purchasing from a reputable seller to avoid knock-offs!
Top Pick for Non-Polarized Sunglasses: Ray-Ban Non-Polarized Aviator Sunglasses
Ray-Ban’s Non-Polarized Aviator Sunglasses are similar to their polarized counterpart.
You’ll find multiple different color options so you can pick the sunglasses that best fit you!
Although the sunglasses do offer 100% UV protection coating, be aware that they still won’t provide as much protection as a polarized pair.
Pros:
- 100% UV protection coating
- Glass lenses
- Metal frame
- Case included
Cons:
- Reduced UV protection
- Delicate lenses
- Reduced glare protection
You can find them over on Amazon in many styles by clicking here.
Which is the best pair of Ray Bans for you to buy – polarized or non-polarized?
When it comes down to it, the best sunglasses type depends on your specific needs.
If you find yourself often using LCD screens or in snowy, icy conditions, non-polarized sunglasses are your best option.
However, because polarized sunglasses offer better glare and UV protection, I would have to recommend them for the vast majority of the population. The side-effects of not protecting your eyes are too detrimental not to.
Which do you prefer, polarized or non-polarized?
Leave a comment and let us know!