Have you ever spotted someone’s glasses changing from clear lenses to sunglasses without them switching the frames? No, it’s not magic, but Transitions® lenses! These smart lenses adapt to their surroundings, tinting the lens depending on the amount of light available. Not only do they protect the wearer from harmful UV rays and artificial lighting, but they save a lot of faff by only having to wear one set of frames.
How do Transitions® lenses work?
Transitions® lenses (also known as photochromic lenses) are made up of tiny molecules of silver halide and chloride which are embedded into the lens. The tint is invisible until exposed to sunlight or UV rays, when the molecules then react, move and change shape to absorb the light. Pretty cool, right?
The Pros of Transitions® Lenses
Transitional lenses are becoming a popular choice for glasses wearers, and we can see why.
Improved Eye Health
The number one benefit of switching to Transitions® photochromic lenses is the significant positive impact they have on your eye health. Without even thinking about it, your glasses immediately adapt to protect your eyes from sunlight. An excellent option for wearers whose lifestyle involves moving between multiple locations.
Minimise Eye Squinting
Sunlight causes strain on our eyes as we naturally squint to protect our sight. This can lead to tiredness, headaches, eye rubbing and wrinkles. All minor issues could turn into something sinister. Transitions® glasses reduce these irritations by reducing the amount of light reaching your eye and therefore minimising squinting.
Blue Light Prevention
With more and more people spending time on computers, TVs, tablets and smartphones, photochromic lenses help with blue light blocking. As technology evolves, our glasses lenses need to evolve with it, and Transitions® lenses are becoming increasingly more sophisticated to deal with our digital lives.
Save Money On Frames
A great benefit of Transitions® lenses is they’re essentially two lenses in one: every day glasses and sunglasses. This means you only need to invest in one set of lenses and one set of frames. This also offers more freedom to the wearer as you can seamlessly move between locations and activities without any hassle or hindrance to your sight.
The Cons of Transitions® Lenses
Although they offer a lot of benefits, there are a few watch-outs if you’re considering switching to Transitions® lenses.
They’re not ideal for driving glasses
As your windscreen already blocks UV light, a standard photochromic lens may not be worth it. However, if your lifestyle involves a lot of driving, Lensology supplies and fits Transitions XTRActive and Drivewear Lenses. These are uniquely designed to protect drivers from glare, sunlight and headlights.
Transitions® lenses are not fans of the cold
That’s not to say they won’t work in winter, because they will. In some cases, where it is particularly cold and bright as opposed to direct sunlight, photochromic lenses can take a little longer to get going. When faced with direct sunlight, Lensology’s Transitions® Lenses work instantly. So you can enjoy the benefits whether you’re skiing on a blue-sky day or walking your dog in the sunshine.
Most photochromic lenses can’t be polarised
Polarised lenses block your eyes from blinding glare. So, whilst photochromic lenses protect you from UV rays, eye damage can still occur as you react to the glare. Lensology stocks the world-leading Transitions® range of photochromic lenses which includes the Transitions™ Drivewear®. With this lens type, you get Transitions® and polarised lenses all in one.
What Are The Different Types Of Transitions® Lenses?
Here at Lensology, we supply and fit 3 types of Transitions® lenses:
Transitions® GEN S™ – Our standard but effective photochromic lenses.
Transitions® XTRActive® – These react behind a windscreen, offering more protection.
Transitions® XTRActive® Polarized™ – A polarised, photochromic lens which also reacts behind windscreens.
Can I Have Coloured Transitions® Lenses?
Yes! We love personalising lenses and offer 7 different colour options:
- Emerald
- Sapphire
- Amethyst
- Amber
- Grey
- Brown
- Grey/Green (G15)
Are Transitions® Lenses Right For Me?
The tip here is to think about where you will benefit most from having Transitions® lenses. If your lifestyle involves a lot of outdoor activities, holidays or driving, then photochromic lenses might be a convenient solution. Alternatively, you could look at standard tinted sunglasses or polarised glasses.
Why Use Lensology For Transitions® Lenses?
As market-leading Transitions® stockists and replacement sunglasses lenses, We’re second to none in quality. When fit by our expert in-house team in our dedicated lab, the results speak for themselves.
And, as ever, you can transform your current lenses by post, leaving the technical stuff to us. All you need to do is request a pack and send your frames to us for reglazing, and we will have your glasses back to you ready to go
