Okay ... I've been lurking on the Disboards for MONTHS now as I've been planning my land & sea adventure for next year, and of all the posts out there, *this* is the one that made me bite the bullet and start an account. LOL...
I'm actually the marketing manager for a major sunglass brand and there is a lot of confusion when it comes to what polarization actually means and the best sunglass when you're on the ocean.
Here's what I would recommend when it comes to selecting sunglasses for your trip ...
1. You get what you pay for. If you invest in a mediocre pair of sunglasses, you can expect mediocre protection. Not all polarization is created equal, so keep that in mind if you're shopping at a
Walmart versus a Sunglass Hut.
2. The best way to tell if a pair is TRULY polarized, is ask if there's a polarization demonstrator where ever you're getting the sunglasses ... OR ... look at your smart phone screen and tilt your head. You'll see color vibration happening as a result (more intense blues and reds with a color mix/warble). But think of polarized lenses as Venetian blinds ... parallel light can enter, but the glare bouncing off of the water is eliminated.
3. Since you're ON the ocean, look for something with an AR coating on the INSIDE of the lens. AR is anti-reflective and it'll help cut the glare from the gaps in the sunglasses (assuming you have a 6-base frame, this is less of an issue with an 8-base frame that wraps more around the eyes).
4. With the lens itself, we always recommend going with a BLUE mirrored lens when you're on the water. The lens itself should be grey-based, but with the flash mirror It helps magnify the blue hues of the water and you'll see the caribbean in its truest beauty. The second best mirror would be a gold that will work in tandem with the land and water.
5. While polarization can mess with your vision if you're looking at LCD screens you'll actually feel LESS eye fatigue and increased clarity.
Like you, I have crazy sensitive eyes, so I totally get the importance of protecting yourself. If you want, I can see if I have any samples at my desk tomorrow.