Transition Lens. Is it right for you? (2024)

Transition Lenses: What you need to know

Some people love it some hate it. Why? They are basically a lens that turns dark outdoors and back into regular optical lenses indoors so it eliminates the hassle of carrying two pair of glasses. Transition lenses been growing in popularity recently in the eyewear field. But there are still people who don't think they are worth it.

The technical term for transition lens is photochromatic. The name "transition lenses" is actually trademarked by the Essilor company, (essilor logo) one of the largest lens company in the world, so calling it transition lens is like calling tissue paper "Kleenex" or calling making a photocopy "Xerox-ing it". For the sake of ease and familiarity we’ll use transition here. Just remember there are many other brands of “transition lens” out there including Hoya’s Sensity brand photochromatic lens.

Hoya transition lens work when it changes from light to dark when exposed to UV light. If you want to get more technical, transition lens are covered in silver halide and chloride molecules that temporarily change their structure when when struck by the sun's UV rays. When the structure of trillions of molecules changes at the same time, the entire surface of the lens appears to darken.

Now, lets get into the details of whether or not transition lens are worth it for you.

The pros are obvious: It’ll save you the hassle of carrying two frames (one regular glasses and a pair of sunglasses), another pro: the cost. A pair of sunglasses with prescription and tinting cost around 400 dollars assuming the average cost for the sunglasses frame is 200 dollars and the lens with tinting to be 100-200 dollars. A pair of eyeglasses with transition will cost you around 100-200 dollars extra on top of the cost of the frame you get.

It’s obviously more cost effective to get transition lenses.

Though, there are some legitimate concerns for transition lens. One of them is that some people do not like how slowly the transition lenses changes colors. People do not want to be stuck wearing sunglasses indoors. Though, with recent advancement in transition technology, the few minutes that it takes to change colors have dropped significantly to a few seconds. When I am with a patient and trying to introduce transition lenses, I usually demonstrate it with my own frames, expose my lens to UV light, and even before my explanation, the lenses changes back to regular glasses. It’s that fast now.

I’ve actually timed how long my transition lenses change color and it clocked in at around 5 seconds to change from clear to dark and from dark to clear at around 1 minute. Which is not a long time.

The second concern that people have about transition lenses is the scenario in which it changes colors. In a cloudy and overcast day, even though its not very sunny, UV light does get through so your transition lenses will change colors. Some people may not like that they look like they are wearing sunglasses in a day that is not sunny. Or have a semi tinted look all day long.

The third issue, is that if you drive, the windshield already have UV treatment that blocks UV light so you will still be exposed to sunlight but your eyeglasses will not change colors. This will be annoying because transition lean will not protect you from all the sunlight and glare coming from outside your car window while driving.

Along with that some people who just like to change style. They like to convey a different look between sunglasses and glasses.

Would I recommend transition lenses? Definitely. It saves money and it’s convenient. New technological advancement for this lens will make it last longer, change colors faster, go clearer indoors, and darker when you are outside.(Add longer, faster, and darker text on screen as I say it) UV light is the leading cause of blindness through cataracts so it good to have a easy way to protect your eyes.

If you drive for a living or have a long drive to work, I won’t recommend it and would say to get two pairs of glasses: one to stick in your car and one to wear indoors.

Have you tried transitions before? What do you think? Comment below.

Transition Lens. Is it right for you? (2024)

FAQs

Are transition lenses right for me? ›

Transitions lenses are for everybody.

So no matter where you live or what you do—day in and day out—Transitions lenses are the ideal everyday prescription eyeglasses for children, adults, and patients with special eye care needs.

Is transition lens necessary? ›

Transition lenses provide valuable protection from these rays and keep the eyes from being as sensitive to light. Increased exposure to UV rays can lead to other issues as the person ages, including cataracts. Best of all, the lenses are able to adjust to the specific needs of your eyes.

Are transition lenses safe? ›

Transitions lenses are great in safety glasses because, in addition to protecting you from impacts and projectiles, they protect you from bright light that can put a strain on your eyes. Our Transition safety glasses are ANSI Z87 certified, with impact-resistant polycarbonate lenses and 100% UVA/UVB protection.

How long does it take for your eyes to adjust to transition lenses? ›

It can take a few days to a few weeks for your eyes and brain to fully adjust to your new eyewear, whether you are increasing your prescription or wearing eyeglasses for the first time.

Do transition lenses affect night driving? ›

Like all tinted glasses, they should not be worn for night driving however as there is a wide agreement between experts and institutions that no attempt should be used to filter incoming light at night time as it is bound to reduce the visual integrity of the driver and so negatively affect safety.

Do transition lenses get worse over time? ›

Transition lenses generally last the life of a pair of glasses (or longer), though they do wear out after years of use. Most Transition lenses wear out in about three years, with a yellowish tinge forming in the lenses while clear and a noticeable reduction of the lenses' darkness in full sunlight.

Do transitions get as dark as sunglasses? ›

Transition lenses do not get as dark as typical sunglasses lenses, and they do not darken much behind the windshield of a car. They also get darker in cold weather than in very hot weather. You can add transition lenses to any pair of glasses.

Can transition lenses cause blurred vision? ›

One of the most commonly reported side effects of progressive lenses is blurry or fuzzy peripheral vision.

Can transition lenses cause headaches? ›

It's not unusual for headaches, dizziness, and nausea to accompany the adjustment period for bifocals, trifocals, or progressive lenses.

Why is transition lens so expensive? ›

One reason progressive lenses cost more than other kinds is that they're harder to make. Cutting and shaping the gradient on progressive lenses is simply a more delicate and time-consuming process than cutting a lens with the same prescription throughout—or even one with multiple fixed prescriptions.

Can heat ruin transition lenses? ›

Can Transitions lenses get crazing? Transitions and other brands of photochromic lenses can get crazing if they are coated with anti-reflective coating. Crazing on Transitions lenses is often caused by exposure to heat.

Can transition lenses be removed? ›

Usually that transition type lens isn't coated, the lens material itself is the transition …..you can't remove it. Just hold the glasses where they will reflect light. If the lights reflecting are the color of the lights, you do not have Anti-Reflective coating.

Why do transition lenses turn yellow? ›

This is because the sun can cause certain chemicals used in the plastics that create eyeglass lenses, to turn them yellow. Other studies point to the oxidization of the plastic triggering a reaction that sees the lenses begin to take on a yellow tinge.

What triggers transition lenses? ›

When photochromic lenses are exposed to UV light, trillions of photochromic molecules in the lens begin to change structure. This reaction is what causes the lenses to darken.

Which is better transition lenses or sunglasses? ›

Transition lenses allow you to see clearly outdoors in the sun, as well as indoors. On the other hand, prescription sunglasses are great for having clear vision outdoors, but the permanently tinted lenses can be somewhat inconvenient when you are indoors.

Do transition lenses work in the winter? ›

Affected by cold weather – Transitional lenses are also affected by colder weather, meaning they take a bit longer to react to UV rays in winter. Might not be polarized – Most transitional lenses aren't polarized, which could result in harsh glares. Check with your eye doctor to see what option is best for you.

How long do Transitions lenses last? ›

How long do Transitions Lenses last? Transitions lenses are designed to last two years, which is generally the lifetime of your vision care prescription.

What happens if you leave transition lenses in the sun? ›

In short, Transitions lenses quickly darken when worn outdoors in sunlight and fade back rapidly when the wearer returns indoors. Most wearers report that the adjustment happens so smoothly, they are unaware it is occurring at the time.

Which is better polarized or transitions? ›

Conclusion. When making the decision between transitions or polarized lenses, it is important to remember that one is not better than the other. Both transitions and polarized lenses offer the same UV protection. Polarized lenses reduce glare and increase contrast, while transitions offer an all-in-one solution.

Why are my transition lenses stay dark? ›

The Effect of Temperature

When it is colder outside you may notice that your Transitions lenses seem to get darker than they do when it is warmer. This is because the molecules move more slowly when they are cold, which means when they are cold they will fade back from dark to clear more slowly.

Do transition lenses make it harder to see at night? ›

While transition lenses are more useful for deflecting glare and sunlight when you're driving during the day, transition lenses are also good for night driving in some cases. The strongest case for using transition lenses to drive at night is that they can create sharper vision in low-light conditions.

Do you need anti glare with Transitions lenses? ›

Yes, transition lenses accept anti-glare (AR) coating, and there are good reasons to have one applied. An anti-glare coating makes your glasses look better to others. They restrict stray reflections on the front of your lenses, the reflections that mask your eyes.

How much should a pair of transition glasses cost? ›

Sunglasses with photochromic lenses cost between $75 and $400 a pair. Getting photochromic technology added to a pair of prescription eyeglasses usually adds between $100 and $400 to the total cost of those glasses. In many cases, this can bring the total cost of a pair of glasses to nearly $1,000.

Are transition lenses just a coating? ›

Adaptive transition lenses are made by cutting glass, plastic, or polycarbonate material, and then coating them in a special light-sensitive chemical coating. This coating reacts to the levels of light in the surrounding area, which causes the lenses to shift between dark tint and clear modes to fit the situation.

Can you use alcohol wipes on transition lenses? ›

You cannot use rubbing alcohol to clean your glasses. Avoid using household cleaners or products with high concentrations of acid. Clean your glasses with a gentle dish soap and warm water for the best results. Dry your glasses with a microfiber cloth to prevent smudging.

Can you use lens wipes on transition lenses? ›

Transitions® lenses can be cleaned like most lenses – with a lens cleaner, mild soap or a microfiber lens cleaning cloth. Do not use window cleaner to clean your prescription eyeglasses, as it contains chemicals that could break down the coatings on your lenses.

Do transition lenses get as dark as sunglasses? ›

Transition lenses do not get as dark as typical sunglasses lenses, and they do not darken much behind the windshield of a car. They also get darker in cold weather than in very hot weather. You can add transition lenses to any pair of glasses.

Do transition lenses get dark enough? ›

When Transition lenses do wear out, they will take on a yellowish tinge when they're clear. They will no longer get as dark at that point. Transition lenses don't get as dark as standard sunglasses.

What color is best for transition lenses? ›

Green — Best for reducing glare and brightening shadows, green lenses provide higher contrast than gray lenses and more exact color accuracy than brown lenses. They're a good option for any outdoor activity in any weather condition.

Why are my transition lenses dark inside? ›

The Effect of Temperature

When it is colder outside you may notice that your Transitions lenses seem to get darker than they do when it is warmer. This is because the molecules move more slowly when they are cold, which means when they are cold they will fade back from dark to clear more slowly.

Can transition lenses cause dizziness? ›

Progressive lenses can be a frustrating thing for many people to try to get used to. They can cause dizziness, headaches, depth perception problems and more. Most of the time you're told to 'just get used to it' (that's what many eye doctors are taught in school).

Are GREY or brown transitions better? ›

The best color transition lens for you depends on what you will use your glasses for. If you need the maximum darkness possible in a transition lens, it is best to opt for a grey colored lens. However, brown transition lenses are best for people who would like better contrast (i.e. while fishing or playing golf).

Do transition lenses scratch easily? ›

No, you do not need to worry. The technology behind our Transitions lenses ensures that the photochromic dyes are part of the lens and cannot be scratched off or peeled off and are designed to last for the life of your prescription.

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