Q: I’ve got one pair of sunglasses which are doing something weird. They make back windshields look all smudgy. What’s going on with that?
A: That’s from polarized lenses and it’s normal. The polarization will reduce reflections off the water and other shiny surfaces, and we often recommend these lenses because they are visually comforting and reduce that glare. However, certain transparent materials like tempered back windshields and LCD screens can appear somewhat dark, smudgy, or rainbowish when viewed through polarized lenses. Front windshields are made differently than front windshields and do not produce the effect. We are always glad to answer your optical questions at Mosaic Optometry!