Polarized sunglasses are designed specifically to reduce glare so that you can see clearly in situations where you might otherwise squint or be blinded by reflected light. Glare is caused when light hits a reflective horizontal surface, causing light beams to be scattered horizontally.
Polarized sunglasses can be especially helpful in situations like:
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Driving: This is especially true on extremely hot days when the combination of hot air near the surface of a road and less hot air above it causes a mirroring effect.
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Playing outdoor sports: Polarized sunglasses help athletes see with greater clarity so that they can safely maneuver while competing in full daylight.
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Water activities: This includes speedboating, sailing, fishing, and other water sports when glare can come from all directions as sunlight bounces off waves or moving water.