Why Can’t I See My Screen in My Sunglasses?
- Hayley Brunsden
- 12 minutes ago
- 2 min read
You’re outside enjoying the sunshine, you check your phone… and suddenly, you can’t see a thing on the screen. Sound familiar?
This common issue catches many people off guard—but it’s not just the tint of your sunglasses that’s to blame. If your sunglasses are polarised, that’s likely the culprit. Let’s break down why this happens and what you can do about it.
1. What Are Polarised Lenses?
Polarised sunglasses are brilliant at reducing glare—especially from flat, reflective surfaces like water, roads, and car bonnets. They work by filtering out horizontal light waves, which are the main cause of glare.
This is great for driving, skiing, and relaxing by the water—but not so great for using screens.
2. LCD Screens Use Polarisation Too
Most digital screens (phones, tablets, laptops, car displays) use LCD technology, which relies on its own type of polarisation to control how light passes through the screen.
So what happens when two different polarised filters meet...?
3. The Polarisation Clash
When you look at an LCD screen through polarised sunglasses, the angle of polarisation in the lens can conflict with the screen’s polarisation.
If they’re aligned at 90 degrees—they cancel each other out.
Result? The screen may look very dim, distorted, or even completely black.
You’ll especially notice this when you tilt your head or rotate your device.
Photo: Banton Frameworks
4. The Tint Plays a Role Too
Even if there’s no polarisation clash, the tint in your sunglasses reduces overall brightness. This makes screens harder to read, especially in lower light or if your device brightness is turned down.
5. How to Make Screens Easier to See in Sunglasses
Rotate the Screen – Turning your phone from portrait to landscape (or vice versa) can reduce the polarisation conflict and improve visibility.
Have a Spare Pair – While polarised lenses are the gold standard for reducing glare in most daily activities, it’s worth keeping a spare pair of non-polarised sunglasses handy. If you often need to use digital screens outdoors—for work, driving, or navigation—a standard tinted pair can make life much easier when using screens for long periods.
Increase Brightness – If possible, turn up your device’s brightness to help counter the dimming effect of your sunglasses.
Photo: Banton Frameworks
6. Choose Sunglasses That Match Your Lifestyle
When picking sunglasses, think about what you’ll be using them for:
Driving or boating? Polarised lenses are ideal for cutting glare and improving clarity.
Outdoors but glued to your phone? You might benefit from a non-polarised pair for easier screen viewing.
A mix of both? It’s not one-size-fits-all—just like shoes, you may need to consider a second pair. Having different sunglasses for different activities can make a huge difference to your comfort and vision.
In Summary
If you’re struggling to read screens in your sunglasses, it’s likely due to a polarisation mismatch between your lenses and the device. While polarised lenses are brilliant for reducing glare, they’re not always screen-friendly.
Understanding how your sunglasses interact with technology means you can choose eyewear that works with your lifestyle—not against it.
Hayley Brunsden Founder & Optometrist
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