Back to Coatings

Polarized Lenses

Polarized lenses eliminate horizontal glare from reflective surfaces — water, snow, roads, and glass. Dramatically improves comfort and visual clarity outdoors.

Add-on from$62

How Polarization Works

Light reflecting off flat surfaces — water, pavement, snow, car hoods — becomes horizontally polarized, creating intense, blinding glare. A polarizing filter in the lens is oriented vertically, blocking this horizontal glare while allowing normally scattered light to pass through.

Benefits Over Standard Tinted Lenses

Standard dark tints reduce the total amount of light entering the eye, but they don't eliminate glare. Polarized lenses specifically target the horizontal component of reflected light — the source of most glare. The visual experience is dramatically different:

  • Water appears transparent rather than reflective — you can see beneath the surface
  • Roads appear less blinding in wet conditions
  • Snow and sand are far more comfortable
  • Driving comfort is significantly improved

Xperio Polarized Lenses — $69.95

Our Xperio polarized lenses by Essilor offer superior glare elimination combined with prescription accuracy across the full lens. Available in grey, brown, and green in single vision and progressive designs.

When Polarized Isn't Ideal

Polarized lenses can make some digital screens appear dark or show unusual patterns (due to anti-glare coatings on screens). They also reduce visibility of ice patches on roads. For skiing and driving on icy roads, standard dark tints may be preferable.

Common Questions

Can I add multiple coatings to one lens?
Yes. Scratch-resistant, UV, tint, and anti-reflective coatings can all be combined. Crizal AR coating includes scratch resistance — you wouldn't add a separate hard coat.
Are coatings permanent?
Coatings are applied directly to the lens surface and are permanent under normal conditions. Avoid abrasive cleaners, paper towels, and extreme heat (like leaving glasses in a hot car).
Which coating is the most important?
For everyday wear: anti-reflective coating makes the biggest quality-of-life difference. For outdoor use: UV protection and polarization or transitions. For screen users: blue light filtering.