Why you need polarised lenses for watersports

Polarised lenses are different to standard sunglass lenses; they have a special film either sandwiched between two other layers of the lens or applied to the front of a lens. Lightwaves from the sun travel in all directions but when sunlight strikes a surface like water it becomes concentrated – this polarised light as it is called causes glare. Non-polarized sunglasses only reduce the amount of light entering the eye; they don’t block glare. Polarised lenses block glare and allow only useful vertical light to enter so you can see much more clearly.

Glare makes it difficult and uncomfortable to see and can cause eye strain which often leads to debilitating headaches. Glare also distorts the true colour of objects and makes them harder to distinguish. With polarised sunglasses you get glare-free vision, clear contrasts, more natural colours and reduced eye fatigue.

Glare also causes a mirror-effect on water. As a polarised lens will eliminate glare on the water it means you can see down below the surface: especially useful for sea fishing.