Have you ever been curious whether your sunglasses are polarized? What sets polarized lenses apart anyways? This guide is full of valuable tips for those who are unsure about their sunglasses and want to know more about polarized lenses. Pro Tip: If you got your sunglasses from Roshambo Eyewear, they are definitely polarized. 100% polarized 100% of the time.

What Are Polarized Lenses?

Light waves travel in different directions. While vertical light helps us see, horizontal light creates glare, restricting our vision. To put it simply, polarized lenses allow vertical light in, providing clear vision. They also have a special filter that absorbs horizontal light, keeping glare out. Polarized lenses deliver 100% UVA/B/C radiation while reducing glare and eye strain. Most polarized lenses comply with US, EU, and other international UV standards.

What is TAC Lens Technology?

Tri-Acetate Cellulose (TAC) polarized lenses feature an upgraded lens technology designed for superior visual and polarization clarity. They block 100% harmful UV rays up to 400 nanometers. These lenses have a scratch coating, lightweight frames, and are highly impact resistant.

6 Ways to Tell if Your Sunglasses Are Polarized

If you have sunglasses but aren’t sure whether they have polarized lenses, here are seven tips to help you solve the mystery.

1. Check for a Sticker or Etching

Some sunglasses will have a polarized sticker on the lens when you buy them. Others have the letter “P” or the word “Polarized” etched onto the lens. Some sunglasses have both.

2. Do a Computer Monitor Test

Put on your sunglasses and look at a computer monitor. If the monitor’s brightness seems to go up and down when you tilt your head left and right, the lenses of your glasses are polarized.

3. Look into Water on a Sunny Day

If you’re near a body of water on a sunny day, put on your sunglasses and look into the water. Since polarized lenses reduce the reflected light off water, you should be able to see into it better with the glasses on than off.

4. Remove the Lenses

Remove both lenses from your sunglasses and hold them in front of one another, so they’re aligned parallel. Then, rotate the first lens 90 degrees. If the tint of the lens appears to darken when you rotate it, the lenses are polarized. They will appear to have the same tint if they aren't polarized.

5. Pay Attention to Reflected Light While Driving

Take special note of the reflected light off asphalt and cars when driving on a sunny day. If you put on your sunglasses and notice a significant reduction in that distracting light, the lenses are most likely polarized.

6. Take Note of Clarity on a Hazy Day

Similarly, polarized lenses reduce haze. When you wear your sunglasses on a hazy day and notice a significant improvement in visual acuity, the lenses are most likely polarized.

Once you’ve determined whether your sunglasses are polarized, you are primed to put them to good use. And while there are a few exceptions, such as looking at an LCD screen or at times when light glare is advantageous (such as driving on an icy road), the vast majority of the time wearing polarized shades will give you a vastly superior experience over regular sunglasses.