The sun’s light vibrates and radiates outward in all directions. When the light is reflected off of a flat surface, such as a road or body of water, this light generally travels in a horizontal pattern. This is known as horizontal polarization and occurs both naturally and artificially. We see an example of natural polarization every time we look at a lake. The reflected glare off the surface is the light that does not make it through the “filter” of the water, and is the reason why we often cannot see anything below the surface, even when the water is very clear. This creates a visual obstacle and an occasionally, dangerous concentration of light which we experience as glare.

Polarized lenses will reduce glare from flat surfaces such as waterways and roads, decreasing glare and increasing visual clarity. While they have always been popular with water motorists and those who like to fish, the popularity of polarized lenses, such as those made by Oakley, has caught on with the broader public, as they are ideal for driving and almost all outdoor activities throughout Canada.