Let's Talk About: Polarized Sunglasses and Transitions Lenses
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Both polarized sunglasses and Transitions© (lenses that darken) offer protection from the sun, but they work in different ways. Understanding the key differences will help you make the best choice for your visual comfort. Let’s explore glare and how it can affect your vision.
What is Glare?
Glare is caused when bright light scatters inside your eye, reducing contrast, causing discomfort, and impairing sight. Sudden intense light can even temporarily “blind” you.
Common Effects of Glare
- Halos or rings around lights, such as headlights or streetlights.
- Starburst of light radiating from a bright light.
- Blurred vision, especially at night when your pupils are dilated
- Trouble seeing at night, especially when driving.
Some Factors That Can Worsen Glare
- As you age, you can experience more glare.
- Bright lights, especially LED headlights, can cause more glare.
- Cataracts and dry eye can lead to glare.
- Light reflecting off of surfaces will cause increased glare.
Comparing Polarized Lenses and Transition© (Light Changing) Lenses
Polarized lenses contain a special filter that blocks horizontal light waves (glare) while allowing vertical light waves to pass through. This eliminates the intense reflected glare from surfaces like water, snow, car hoods, and roads, providing better visual clarity and comfort in bright conditions.
Transitions© (light changing) lenses contain a special molecule that changes shape when exposed to UV light. This causes the lens to get darker. As you go indoors, the UV light decreases. This allows the molecule to return to its normal state, so the lens lightens up. Darkening typically takes about 30 seconds, where it can take 2-5 minutes for the lens to lighten again. Over time, Transitions© develop a slight residual tint, which means they never completely clear indoors.
A Side-by-Side Comparison Polarized Sunglasses and Transitions©
Polarized Sunglasses | Transitions (Dark Adapting) |
√ Eliminates reflected glare | √ Automatically darken with sunlight |
√ Best for driving (reduces glare) | √ Lighten (not clear) when indoors |
√ Perfect for water activities such asfishing, boating, poolside, etc. | √ Don’t have to change glasses when goingfrom indoors to outdoors |
√ Great for snow sports | √ Convenience of one pair of glasses |
× Can make LCD screens hard to see | × Don’t get completely clear indoors |
× Always dark – need to remove indoors | × Take 2-5 minutes to lighten up indoors |
How to Make Your Best Choice
Choose Polarized Sunglasses if you.. | Choose Transitions if you… |
Drive more a total of an hour or more per day, especially in the morning / evening | Accept the tradeoff of convenience over maximum glare protection |
Spend time on or near water | Don’t mind having darkened lenses indoors |
Enjoy outdoor sports (golf, fishing, etc.) | Don’t drive much / aren’t bothered by glare |
Want maximum glare reduction | Want the convenience of one pair |
Don’t mind switching glasses | Go indoors and outdoors frequently |
Real-World Examples
At the Beach or Pool
- Polarized: cuts the glare off water or sand
- Transitions©: darken to provide sun protection, but do not eliminate glare
Driving, especially in the Morning or Evening
- Polarized: dramatically cuts glare from car hoods and wet roads
- Transitions©: do not darken much because the windshield blocks the UV light
In the Office or On the Salesfloor
- Polarized: you must switch between regular glasses or computer glasses and sunglasses
- Transitions©: convenient, but do not get totally clear
What Dr. Moody Recommends
After years of wearing both, here is what I’ve found works the best:
Clear lenses with AR (anti-reflective) coating and Retina Shield (blue-light protection) for everyday wear in the office and at home.
Polarized prescription sunglasses for driving and outdoor activities – for convenience I keep my polarized sunglasses in the car.
- Why both? Polarized prescription sunglasses give me the absolute best glare reduction when driving or at outside events (like kid’s soccer games). I use my clear glasses for work and indoor activities. Personally, I have experienced the trade-off of convenience with Transitions© vs the better vision and comfort of Polarized Lenses, I have chosen the Polarized lenses every time.
FAQs about Polarized Sunglasses vs Transitions©
Can I get both Polarized and Transitions© in the same pair of glasses?
- No. These are two different technologies. However, you can get two pairs of glasses, one with each.
Why don’t Transitions© darken in the car?
- Transitions© darken with exposure to UV light. While UV rays come from the sun, they are almost totally blocked by your car’s windshield. FYI, if this weren’t true, you would get sunburn when you go on a long trip.
Do I need prescription Polarized sunglasses?
- If you wear prescription glasses, then you will need your Polarized sunglasses to be prescription, too.
Are Polarized lenses darker than regular sunglasses?
- Not necessarily. Polarized lenses filter the light to reduce glare whereas lenses that just darken block a percentage of the light. Polarization is about glare reduction (increase comfort), not darkness level.
This guide is written by Dr. Penn Moody and provided by Moody Eyes, an optometry practice serving Downtown Indianapolis and surrounding communities. If you’re experiencing any issues with glare or bright lights, schedule a comprehensive eye exam on our website. We’ll help you choose the perfect solution for your lifestyle.