---
title: Polarized Lenses in the Data
description: What the polarized field means in this catalog, why unknown is not false, and why polarization and UV statements are kept apart.
updated: 2026-09-25
---
# Polarized Lenses in the Data

The `polarized` field answers one narrow question: did the maker say, on the page for this exact variant, that the lens is polarized?

## The three values

| Value | Meaning |
|---|---|
| `true` | The source states the lens is polarized for this variant |
| `false` | The source states the lens is not polarized for this variant |
| `null` | No source states it either way (unknown) |

## Unknown is not false

A missing "Polarized" label doesn't mean the lens isn't polarized. For many Ray-Ban variants, the page text available to this catalog had no statement either way, so the field is null. The catalog records this: "polarized omitted: page does not explicitly state non-polarized" ([Ray-Ban US](https://www.ray-ban.com/usa/sunglasses/RB3025aviator%20classic-arista%20gold/805289004783)).

If you want only polarized results, filter for `true`. If you exclude only `false`, the results still include frames whose status is unknown.

## Exact variant, not the whole model

Polarization belongs to a specific lens, so the catalog records it per variant. On Maui Jim's US site, the Red Sands Asian Fit Matte Black / Neutral Grey variant is recorded as polarized ([Maui Jim](https://www.mauijim.com/US/en_US/shop/sunglasses/rectangular/red-sands-asian-fit?variantCode=432N-2M)). The Grey Tortoise / HCL Bronze variant of the same style is left null. On that page, "PolarizedPlus2" appeared only in general site text, not in that variant's details ([Maui Jim](https://www.mauijim.com/US/en_US/shop/sunglasses/rectangular/red-sands-asian-fit?variantCode=H432N-11T)). General marketing text about a collection isn't taken as a statement about one variant.

Within one Oakley style, colors also differ. Holbrook OO9102 Matte Black / Prizm Black Polarized is `true` ([Oakley](https://www.oakley.com/en-us/product/W0OO9102?variant=888392260109)). Matte brown tortoise / Prizm black has no "Polarized" in its lens name and is left unstated ([Oakley](https://www.oakley.com/en-us/product/W0OO9102?variant=888392335920)).

## Polarization and UV are separate

Polarization and UV filtering are different properties, and the catalog stores them in different fields. `polarized` says nothing about UV. The `uv_claim` field holds the maker's own UV wording, quoted, and it is null when the page makes no UV statement. A polarized variant can have no recorded UV claim, and a non-polarized one can have one. This site doesn't test either property.

## Related

- [/guides/lens-specifications](/guides/lens-specifications)
- [/guides/data-scope-and-sources](/guides/data-scope-and-sources)
- [/docs/find_sunglasses.md](/docs/find_sunglasses.md)
- [/docs/data-dictionary.md](/docs/data-dictionary.md)
- [/docs/sources-and-methodology.md](/docs/sources-and-methodology.md)