Photochromic lenses: Transitions and other light-adaptive lenses
Photochromic lenses are eyeglass lenses that are clear (or nearly clear) indoors and darken automatically when exposed to sunlight. Other terms sometimes used for photochromic lenses include "light-adaptive lenses," "light intelligent" and "variable tint lenses."
The most popular brand of photochromic eyeglass lenses sold in the United States is Transitions® lenses. Because of this, some people — including some eye care practitioners — refer to photochromic lenses as "transitions lenses" or "transition lenses." But there are other brands of photochromic lenses available as well.
Contact lenses can also now come with photochromic technology. Johnson & Johnson teamed up with Transitions® Optical to develop Acuvue® Oasys with Transition™, the first light-adaptive contact lens.
HAVING DIFFICULTY ADJUSTING TO BRIGHT LIGHT? Ask your eye doctor if photochromic lenses (in glasses or contacts) will help.
How photochromic lenses work
The molecules responsible for causing photochromic lenses to darken are activated by the sun's ultraviolet radiation. Because UV rays penetrate clouds, photochromic lenses will darken on overcast days as well as sunny days.
Photochromic lenses typically will not darken inside a vehicle because the windshield glass blocks most UV rays. Recent advancements in technology allow some photochromic lenses to activate with both UV and visible light, providing some darkening behind the windshield. Ask your optician for details.
Photochromic eyeglass lenses are available in nearly all lens materials and designs, including high-index lenses, bifocals and progressive lenses. An added benefit of photochromic lenses is that they shield your eyes from 100 percent of the sun's harmful UVA and UVB rays.
Benefits of photochromic lenses
Because a person’s lifetime exposure to sunlight and UV radiation has been associated with cataracts later in life, it’s a good idea to consider photochromic lenses for children’s eyewear as well as for eyeglasses for adults. Polycarbonate is the safest lens material for kids, providing up to 10 times the impact resistance of other lens materials.
Adding anti-reflective coating to photochromic lenses enhances their performance even further. AR coating allows more light to pass through photochromic lenses for sharper vision in low-light conditions (such as driving at night) and eliminates bothersome reflections of sunlight and other light from the backside of the lenses in bright conditions.
Though photochromic lenses cost more than clear eyeglass lenses, they offer the convenience of reducing the need to carry a pair of prescription sunglasses with you everywhere you go.
Photochromic lens brands
Popular brands of photochromic lenses sold in the United States include:
Transitions® Gen S™ (Transitions Optical)
Transitions® Gen S™ lenses are the fastest light-adaptive Transitions® lenses available*. Gen S™ lenses get darker and become clear again more quickly — two minutes or less for fade back** and 25 seconds to activate and reach category 3 level of darkness.***
Transitions® XTRActive® (Transitions Optical)
These lenses were developed for wearers who are light-sensitive indoors and desire a darker lens when outdoors and driving. Transitions® XTRActive® lenses have a slight tint indoors to keep your eyes comfortable when exposed to harsh lighting (fluorescent and blue light).****
Sensity (Hoya Vision Care)
Introduced in the United States in April 2016, Hoya’s Sensity photochromic lenses feature trademarked technology that ensures the lenses perform consistently in varying climates and temperatures. Sensity lenses are available in three colors and are offered in a variety of lens designs, lens materials and anti-reflective coatings.
LifeRx (Vision-Ease Lens)
LifeRx lenses are made of polycarbonate and are available in photochromic tints in a variety of lens designs. The lenses take less than a minute to darken outdoors and fade back faster indoors than other photochromic lenses.
PhotoFusion (Carl Zeiss Vision)
Made in Germany, PhotoFusion lenses are available in a neutral gray tint for accurate color vision in all lighting conditions, also available in brown, “extra” gray, pioneer green and blue. The lenses darken up to 20% faster and lighten indoors up to twice as fast as previous Zeiss photochromic lenses.
ColorMatic IQ Sun 2 (Rodenstock)
Also made in Germany, Rodenstock’s ColorMatic IQ Sun 2 lenses are available in six photochromic tints, including brown, gray, orange and green.
SunSensors (Mitsui Chemicals)
Mitsui Chemicals acquired SunSensors lenses originally manufactured by Corning. SunSensors are made of mid- and high-index plastic materials and are available in gray and brown tints in a variety of lens designs.
PhotoGray; PhotoBrown; Thin & Dark (Corning)
These glass photochromic lenses offer superior scratch resistance but are significantly heavier and less impact-resistant than other photochromic lenses. Corning’s Thin & Dark lenses feature a gray tint and are up to 30% thinner and lighter than conventional glass photochromic lenses, according to the company.
Corning created the first mass-produced glass photochromic lenses in the 1960s and continues to produce glass photochromic lenses in gray and brown tints.
Photochromic sunglasses
Photochromic sunglasses are primarily for outdoor wear. They are not as clear indoors as other photochromic lenses, but they provide extra comfort in bright sunlight and behind the wheel.
Transitions® Drivewear® (Transitions Optical)
These polarized adaptive lenses are designed specifically for driving. They adapt to changing light conditions when worn inside a vehicle, enhance contrast by over 27%, and improve visual performance for driving.*****
Photochromic lenses and blue light
Besides protecting your eyes from glare outdoors, photochromic lenses offer an additional important benefit — they help filter blue-violet light.******
Many digital displays emit blue-violet light. But it is important to note that the majority of blue-violet light exposure is from sunlight, even inside our homes and offices. Decreasing exposure to blue-violet light can improve visual comfort, especially for people who spend prolonged periods using digital devices.
See your eye care professional to discuss blue-violet light exposure and which type and brand of photochromic lenses is best for your specific needs.
*For gray lenses in the clear to dark (category 3) photochromic category. Transitions® GEN S™ lenses fade back faster to 70% transmission while achieving less than 14% transmission when activated at @ 23°C.
**For gray polycarbonate & CR39 lenses achieving 18% transmission @ 23°C.
***For gray polycarbonate & CR39 lenses with a premium anti-reflective coating fading back to 70% transmission @ 23°C.
****Tests performed on grey Transitions® XTRActive® new generation and clear lenses, CR39 and polycarbonate, with a premium anti-reflective coating. Blue-violet light is between 400 and 455nm (ISO TR 20772:2018).
*****Source: EcoOptics Limited - Prof. Nicholas Roberts, Quantitative study measuring experimentally how Drivewear increases the achromatic contrast (change in perceived brightness) of moving objects.
******Blue-violet light is between 400 and 455nm as stated by ISO TR 20772-2018.
Transitions is a registered trademark of Transitions Optical, Inc. used under license by Transitions Optical Limited ©2024 Transitions Optical Limited.
Page published on Wednesday, February 27, 2019
Page updated on Tuesday, December 10, 2024
Medically reviewed on Thursday, June 29, 2023
