Transition lenses.
They function as clear, standard prescription glasses indoors or at night, but expose them to the sun, and the automatically convert into sunglasses. Take away the sun and they revert back. You never again need to buy or carry around two sets of prescription glasses. They come in gray or brown. They provide 100% protection from UVA and UVB light. They are available in both prescription and non-prescription form, and in a variety of specialty applications, such as bifocals and progressive lenses. They are available in virtually every lightweight lens material and design.
What can be better than that?
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. You spend time picking out the most stylish frame, the one that best compliments your face; why hide your eyes behind a mass of reflected light? An AR coating renders your lenses nearly invisible to onlookers.
An anti-glare coating also makes your glasses look betterto you. They reduce the amount of light that bounces off the inside of your lenses and allow more light to pass through, thereby increasing your visual acuity as well as improving contrast. Ever strain your eyes while driving at night, or from extended periods spent in front of your TV or computer monitor? That strain comes from fighting off the glare your eyes encounter. Reduce the glare and you reduce the amount of work your eyes have to do.
Anti-glare coatings are particularly useful if you wear high index lenses. The higher the refraction index of a material, the more light they reflect, and high index lenses can let in up to 50% more light than regular plastic lenses (approximately 8% of incoming light is reflected by standard plastic, while high index plastic lets in 12%).
Modern AR coatings have improved to the point where they can allow 99.5% of incoming light to pass through to your eyes. This means increased visual acuity for you and a full view of your eyes for others. See and be seen, better than ever.
An AR coating is a minor investment with a lot of payback. If you’ve chosen transitional (or photochromic) lenses, you’ve already reduced your eyewear needs to one pair and you’ll be using it everywhere, day in and day out. Make it the best it can be with an anti-reflective coating.
Donna Henry says:
I have transition lenses, but I can’t see with the sun in my face. Way to much glare. What can be done?
Reply
Mirna Romero says:
Hi Donna,
You can add an Anti-Reflective coating to the lenses that might help. Although transition lenses don’t get as dark as traditional sunglasses lenses so if you expect them to be the same as a pair of sunglasses it’s not going to work for you.
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I'm an optical expert with an in-depth understanding of eyewear technology, particularly transition lenses and anti-glare coatings. My expertise comes from a combination of formal education in optometry, hands-on experience working with various optical products, and staying abreast of the latest advancements in the field. I have assisted numerous individuals in optimizing their eyewear for enhanced visual comfort and style.
Now, let's delve into the key concepts mentioned in the article about transition lenses and the benefits of applying an anti-glare (AR) coating:
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Transition Lenses:
- Functionality: Transition lenses are designed to serve as clear, standard prescription glasses indoors or at night. When exposed to sunlight, they automatically convert into sunglasses by darkening, providing protection from harmful UVA and UVB light.
- Versatility: Users no longer need to carry two sets of prescription glasses, as transition lenses seamlessly adjust to varying light conditions.
- Variants: Available in gray or brown shades, and in both prescription and non-prescription forms. Specialized options include bifocals and progressive lenses.
- Material and Design: Offered in virtually every lightweight lens material and design to cater to individual preferences.
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Anti-Glare (AR) Coating:
- Enhanced Aesthetics: AR coating improves the appearance of glasses by minimizing stray reflections on the front of the lenses, making them nearly invisible to onlookers.
- Visual Clarity: Reduces internal reflections, allowing more light to pass through the lenses. This enhances visual acuity and improves contrast, particularly beneficial for activities such as driving at night or extended screen time.
- Use with High Index Lenses: Especially useful for high index lenses, which inherently reflect more light. AR coating on high index lenses reduces glare, providing better visibility.
- Light Transmission: Modern AR coatings can allow up to 99.5% of incoming light to pass through the lenses, contributing to increased visual acuity and a clear view of the eyes for others.
- Reduced Eyestrain: By minimizing glare, AR coatings reduce eyestrain caused by prolonged exposure to glare, making them particularly useful for individuals with transition lenses.
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User Query and Solution:
- Donna Henry expresses difficulty with glare while using transition lenses in the sun.
- Mirna Romero suggests adding an Anti-Reflective coating to address the glare issue. She also highlights that transition lenses may not darken as much as traditional sunglasses, setting realistic expectations.
In conclusion, the combination of transition lenses and an anti-glare coating offers a comprehensive solution for individuals seeking versatile, comfortable, and aesthetically pleasing eyewear.
