At present age, it is not uncommon to see the word “Polarized” written next to sunglasses. Polarized sunglasses have been a staple for outdoor activities for quite a while now. Among any other outdoor activity, fishing is the one that requires polarized fishing sunglasses the most. Any angler willing to spend money on fishing sunglasses prefers to spend it on polarized fishing sunglasses.
What is Polarization? How do anti-glare or polarized fishing sunglasses work? How to become sure whether lenses are polarized or not? If you are looking for the above answers, congratulations; you have stumbled across the right place. Let’s unveil the scientific phenomenon of polarization together!
What are Polarized Fishing Sunglasses and How do they Differ from Non-polarized Sunglasses?
Light travels in the form of waves. These waves travel in all possible directions or planes. However, when these waves strike a smooth surface, they travel in one plane. This is called polarization of light.
Non-polarized Fishing Sunglasses
Fishing sunglasses that are not polarized will allow the light to pass through them without any filtering. These sunglasses do not reduce glare as the light bouncing from every surface in every direction is allowed to enter as it is through the lens. Your sunglasses can be 100 percent UV-protected without being polarized. The process of UV protection is done by using special pigments to absorb the harmful rays of the sun. However, the glare remains.
Polarized Fishing Sunglasses
Polarized fishing sunglasses are manufactured by using certain chemicals that filter the light coming from one plane while allowing it to enter through the other. Light waves traveling in horizontal direction are blocked but those traveling in vertical direction can pass through.
Manufacturing of Polarized Fishing Sunglasses
The secret of working polarized fishing sunglasses lies in its manufacturing process. Special types of molecules are aligned in such a way that creates dark parallel lines that block the light coming from the direction perpendicular to the length of the lines. Long chains of hydrocarbon molecules are placed on thin polyvinyl acetate (PVA) film. The molecules are then stretched and forced to join end-to-end by heating. The film is then dipped into a conducting solution of iodine. At last, the conducting molecules are aligned along a pole to make a microscopic grid of dark parallel lines.
How do Polarized Fishing Sunglasses Work?
To understand the working of polarized fishing sunglasses, consider the following examples. Imagine you are trying to fit a mattress through a door. Would it ever pass through that door if you kept it horizontal? You would keep it in a vertical plane to fit it through the door. Similarly, if you try to pass a pencil through a grid of lines that stretch in one direction. Would the pencil make it through the other end if you kept it perpendicular to the grid? No! But it would surely pass through when kept parallel to the grid. Similar is the case with polarized fishing sunglasses.
This diagram demonstrates the passing of light waves through a polarized lens. The lines traveling in different directions are not capable of passing through the polarized lens. Only a specific plane of the traveling of light is eligible to enter it. If another lens is placed in front of the first lens in a perpendicular direction, no light will be able to reach the other end. This happened because horizontal lines were blocked by the first lens and the vertical lines that pass through it were blocked by the second lens, and now all that you can see is darkness.
Benefits of Polarized Fishing Sunglasses
Clear Vision
Polarized fishing sunglasses clear the image of your surroundings by giving a noticeable distinction between light and dark spots. It enhances the contrast and allows you to see true colors. Sometimes the light can fool your eyes and you won’t be able to see clearly through the water, in this scenario, you can easily rely on your polarized fishing sunglasses.
Glare Reduction
Polarized fishing sunglasses reduce glare which is caused by the reflection of light through smooth surfaces like that of water. This glare squints your eyes as they cannot handle too much brightness. Polarized fishing sunglasses play a vital role in reducing the glare. However, this does not mean that the sunglasses are UV-protected
Eye Protection
Research has proven that glare can cause fatigue in your eyes. Your eyes will feel sore and it will be hard to open them. Glare adds to the work of interpretation of information, this overwork is called eye strain. To prevent your eyes from such problems, you must protect them from glare. Polarized fishing sunglasses will help protect your eyes from fatigue and eye strain.
Guide to Choosing the Best Polarized Fishing Sunglasses
One should opt for a polarized pair of sunglasses for an activity like fishing. Okay! But is the phenomenon of polarization enough to open your wallet? Of course not! But how to choose the right pair with so many options around? Worry not, we gotcha!
Lens Material
Polarized lenses can be made of glass or polycarbonate. Each one of the materials has its benefits and drawbacks. Plastic is lightweight and impact-resistant. On the other hand, glass is heavy but scratch-resistant.
UV Protection
Being polarized does not mean that the sunglasses offer UV protection as well. The primary function of sunglasses is to protect your eyes, hence make sure that your polarized sunglasses are 100 percent UV protected.
Design and Fit
Your polarized fishing sunglasses should fit snugly to stay with you when you cast or reel in your catch. When choosing your fishing hats you can consider wraparound styles as they offer maximum coverage. However, the style, design and frame is totally up to your taste.
How to Know if Your Lenses Are Polarized or Not?
Here are the steps to follow while testing if the lens is polarized or not.
- Hold the sunglasses away from your face.
- Slightly tilt the sunglasses left or right. You will notice the glare slowly reducing as you increase the tilt angle.
- You can also place another polarized lens behind your sunglasses at 90 degrees. If the lens turns black, your sunglasses are polarized.
Conclusion
Now that you know the term “Polarization”, the science behind it and other elements related to it, you have become well aware of the fact that polarized fishing sunglasses are critical for fishing. Be sure to find the best fit while keeping in view the frame, quality and UV protection. Get yourself equipped to embark on the exhilarating journey of fishing.
