AthleticOptics Tip: What is Glare?
  Glare is simply a blinding concentration of light reflected off surfaces like asphalt, sand, water, snow or ice. Glare impedes vision, hampers concentration and can lead to problems such as squinting, headaches and eye fatigue. Like a deer caught in headlights, all you can see is the glare that blinds you.

There are three types of glare:

  1. Reflected: light waves that are reflected from flat, smooth or shiny surfaces. Commonly referred to as polarized glare, sources include water, snow, windshields, dashboards, pavement, airborne water particles, and dust.
  2. Direct: bright light emanating from a direct source, ie: the sun above.
  3. Bounce-Back: light from beside or behind you that reflects off the backside of your sunglasses and into your eyes. Ever see your eyelashes reflected in your sunglasses?

The most common reaction to glare is to reach for a pair of ordinary sunglasses. Though sunglasses reduce the total amount of light reaching your eyes, they don't eliminate glare. They merely reduce what your eyes want – light. The best way to eliminate glare while letting in the light your eyes crave, is by wearing polarized sunglasses.

Polarized lenses are unique lenses that work similarly to a Venetian blind. A blind only lets in light at certain angles, which is how a polarized lens works. With the removal of the sun’s glare, objects become more distinct and are seen in their true colors. Reduced glare off water, roads, and other objects make the polarized lens a favorite for water sports, fishing, cycling and driving.