No, clear glasses cannot be polarized. Based on how polarized lenses are manufactured, they require some level of tint to achieve polarization.
Why Clear Lenses Cannot Be Polarized
The process of creating polarized lenses involves aligning microscopic filters within the lens material. These filters block horizontal light waves, which cause glare, while allowing vertical light waves through. The production method necessitates the incorporation of a tint during this process.
As the reference states: "Clear lenses cannot be polarized. Polarization requires some level of tint in your glasses due to the way the product production works."
Therefore, it is not currently possible to produce a truly clear lens that also provides polarization.
Alternatives for Glare Reduction
If you are seeking glare reduction, particularly for everyday or low-light conditions where dark sunglasses aren't suitable, there are alternatives to completely clear, non-polarized lenses:
- Lighter Tinted Polarized Lenses: While not entirely clear, lenses with lighter colors can offer significant glare reduction through polarization without excessively darkening your vision.
- Suggested Lighter Tints: According to the reference, if you're looking for clear polarized lenses, consider options with:
- Green tints
- Yellow tints
- Amber tints
These lighter tints provide the necessary base for polarization while allowing more visible light to pass through compared to traditional dark sunglasses. They are suitable for varying light conditions where glare is an issue but maximum light transmission is still desired.
Choosing a lighter tinted polarized lens can be a practical solution when you need the benefit of polarization in situations where truly clear lenses aren't an option.
