Everyone knows the benefits of sunglasses in summer. But few people realize how important sun protection is during the winter months too. It's true that there are fewer hours of sunshine than in summer, but snow and ice, just like bodies of water in summer, have a reflective effect that can be damaging to the health of your eyes. So it's important to protect them properly, even in the dead of winter! But what are the advantages of polarized lenses compared to standard smoked lenses? Here's what we'll try to explain in the following article.

Polarizing lenses, unlike normal smoked lenses, filter the light and provide sharper, clearer vision. They completely cut out reflections
and glare from surfaces such as snow, ice and water, which, in winter, blind people and tire or injure the eyes.

Did you know that you can suffer sunburn on the cornea, caused by glare? In fact, photokeratitis can occur if your eyes are exposed to UV rays. You could develop cataracts, macular degeneration, eyelid cancer - all problems linked to overexposure to the UV rays your eyes have accumulated over the years. Sand, grass and water, but also snow, ice and materials such as metal and glass, do not absorb UV rays the way soil does. That's why it's so important to protect your eyes from UV rays and overexposure to the sun in both summer and winter.

Snow, because of its whiteness, which reflects almost all light, is the greatest reflector. It reflects 80% of UV rays, doubling the rate of UV exposure to which a person can be exposed. So it's vital to make sure your eyes are well protected if you enjoy outdoor activities in the snow, such as skiing, snowshoeing, field hockey, snowmobiling or ice fishing!

Here's an interesting fact : the polarizing filter was invented in 1929 by an American named Edwin Land. This gentleman was the founder
of the Polaroid Corporation. Used for sunglasses, but also for car headlights AND photography, his invention was soon patented. The effects
of this polarizing filter deflect light and allow it to be aligned to eliminate reflections. The rest of his story is historical; he revolutionized the world of photography by creating the first instant camera in 1937. The purity of the images offered by its polarizing filter completely changed the world of photography, automobiles and optics.

When light is reflected on a shiny surface (snow, ice, glass, etc.), it is projected in two different directions; the first, horizontal, creates dazzling reflections and disturbs our eyes, preventing them from doing their job properly. It's the vertical light that provides the eye with relevant information such as contrast and color. In this way, our eyes can assess distances, enable us to find our bearings in space and orientate ourselves correctly. It was probably this understanding of how light affects our ocular mechanics that enabled Mr. Land to develop his polarizing filter.

Polarized lenses not only eliminate glare and improve vision, but unlike non-polarized sunglasses, which simply darken objects, they filter light and provide much sharper vision. Contrasts are much improved, colors are enhanced and better defined. You'll feel less eyestrain and better eye comfort. You'll notice a reduction in headaches, caused by squinting and glare in bright light, as well as a reduction in wrinkles!
And that's no mean feat!

So when you're planning outdoor activities this winter, make sure you're well-equipped, and wear glasses that are well-suited to your reality. Polarized lenses are preferable to standard sunglasses, which won't adequately protect your eyes in our white, sparkling, snow-covered panoramas!