Tag: polarized sunglasses

Why Polarized?

Karen Griffith

Most of us wear sunglasses to reduce glare and brightness. Polarized sunglasses cut the glare and deliver sharp vision, 100% UV protection, and less eyestrain.

MJ Kipahulu

How do polarized lenses work?
When glare-causing light is reflected from surfaces, such as a flat road or smooth water, it is horizontally polarized (as opposed to light that is scattered in all directions). This experience creates a visually taxing and sometimes dangerous intensity of light called glare.
Polarized lenses are equipped with a special filter that blocks this type of intense reflected light to reduce glare effectively.

At Westside Optometry we offer prescription polarized sunglasses in your choice of frame, and whatever lens type you need, progressives, bifocal or single vision. We also feature Maui Jim sunglasses which are available with or without prescription with several choices of lens color. All of them are polarized. The Kipahulu is pictured above.

Polorized vs Gradient Sunglasses

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What’s the difference between polarized sunglasses and gradient sunglasses?

Let’s describe each type of sunlens first:
Polarized lenses are typically solid and dark in color. An additional layer is added to the lens to block out glare from horizontal surfaces such as the hood of a car, the water, and the snow. We recommend adding an anti-reflection coating to the back surface to eliminate all reflections providing the most comfortable vision outdoors. The frame featured to the left is a Calvin Klein sunglass, it can be purchased with plano (no prescription) polarized lenses or with a prescription.

A gradient lens is darker on the top and lighter on the bottom. This design is ideal for reading outdoors, and/or leaving the sunglasses on for days that are not as bright. The density of the darkest part of the lens and the color can be varied to accommodate for each individual’s preference. The Gucci frame featured here can be made with a solid polarized lens also.

This year, a lens combining the attributes of the polarization and the gradient tint became available. The color of the lens and lens materials are limited, but we are very excited to expand your sunlens choices. Lani with gradient polorized lenses The Lani by Maui Jim is an example.

Westside Optometry will be featuring all the Maui Jim Sunglasses at our Fall Eyewear Event, Saturday September 15th.

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