Since you are reading this page, chances are you are most likely familiar with the high level of quality, innovation and technology that Oakley puts into their sunglasses. The Oakley sunglasses polarized lenses are of course, not an exception to the rule.
Polarized sunglasses are specifically designed to reduce or block glare. Light reflected from surfaces such as a car windshield, flat road or water can generally be considered polarized. Meaning that, instead of the light being scattered in multiple directions the reflected light travels in a more horizontal direction, which can create an often annoying and, in some cases very dangerous intense light referred to as "Glare."
Polarized sunglasses were first very popular with fishermen and boaters who were constantly surrounded by the glare being reflected from the sunlight on the water. The polarized lenses allowed improved visibility and reduced eye strain when being out on the water. Since then polarized sunglasses have become more popular with people engaging in active outdoor activities.
Polarized lenses contain a special light filter that blocks this type of intense reflected light, reducing glare. This glare reduction allows for improved visibility and less eye strain. Even though polarized sunglasses improve comfort and visibility, there are some instances when these lenses may not be the most beneficial. Downhill skiing is an example, of when it may be more beneficial to see the glare that is reflecting off icy patches, as this can alert skiers to potential hazards as they approach.
Polarized lenses may also reduce the visibility of images produced by liquid crystal displays (LCDs). This could be an issue as there is an increase in LCD's being utilized for car dashboard readouts, digital screens on automatic teller machines (ATM's), cell phones, and GPS devices. Pilots also have reported similar issues when viewing LCD's on aircraft instrument panels, which can be a crucial issue.
Polarized lenses differ from non-polarized lenses in one main way. Vertical polarization blocks transmission of the horizontal light through polarized lenses. The result is that polarized sunglass lenses reduce glare created by the sun's reflection on flat surfaces. The difference between polarized and non- polarized lenses is quite apparent when compared side by side.
Oakley Sunglasses Polarized = Clear, Crisp Vision
Most sunglasses manufactures apply a polarized coating or a layered method of gluing a film between the lenses to their sunglasses to reduce glare. The problem is that this process can reduce visual clarity and cause distortion.
Now, as you might expect, Oakley strives to surpass most other sunglasses manufactures and has done so with their polarization technology. Oakley polarized sunglasses are produced with a higher level of technology using a liquid infusion process designed to bond the polarizing filter and lenses at the molecular level. The significance of this process is that the polarization effect doesn't wear or rub off as with other manufactures, and visual clarity is maintained at the highest levels.
Industry Standards For Polarized Sunglasses
Industry standard polarized filters are required to be fitted in a frame so the polarization plane does not deviate from the horizontal plane by greater than five degrees. The difference between the left and right eye polarization filters cannot deviate more than six degrees. (This means that each eye could be seeing vastly different orientations of an object, causing your brain to work extra to make sense of the object).
Oakley Sunglasses Polarization Standards
As you may again have guessed, Oakley polarized filters are aligned within 2 degrees from the horizontal plane and are nearly identical left to right. This translates to a reduction of eye strain and brain power to make sense of the images seen in the right and left eyes. Maybe that's why people often get headaches from wearing those cheap sunglasses.
Polarization is just one of the many proprietary technologies that Oakley infuses into it's sunglasses. These patented innovations are known collectively as High Definition Optics (HDO®) and provide unsurpassed clarity and performance. Once you experience high definition vision through these highest of performance polarized sunglasses, it may be difficult to take them off. Check out the Oakley polarized sunglasses, I think you may be pleasantly impressed.
