Transition lenses are a great alternative to buying separate eyeglasses and sunglasses. They darken when exposed to sunlight and clear indoors, reducing eyestrain and protecting your eyes from harmful UV rays and glare.
Understanding how transition lenses work can help you promote them in your practice and enhance patient satisfaction. Here are some tips to get you started:
They Darken Fast
So, what are transition lenses? Transition lenses provide a middle ground between eyeglasses and sunglasses, reducing glare without switching between pairs. They’re ideal for busy lifestyles and those with multiple outdoor activities. This advanced technology works as the light around you changes, darkening your lenses to shield your eyes from harmful UV rays and then shifting back to clear when you’re indoors.
Transition lenses work through a complex chemical process that makes them appear tinted or clear depending on the type of light. Tint-forming molecules of silver halide and chloride are embedded evenly throughout the lens, creating a consistent tint when your lenses darken. This technology is also used in many polarized sunglasses to block out light that would otherwise be reflected off your windshield or other surfaces.
A downside of transition lenses is that they can take longer to return to a clear state in cold temperatures and weather conditions. The silver halide and chloride molecules must reactivate to become clear again. The good news is that newer photochromic technologies like the Transitions Signature GEN 8 lenses have been made to transition faster than ever before.
They Darken Slowly
Unlike many clear sunglasses, transition lenses darken in direct sunlight. They are designed to reduce harmful UV rays from the sun and indirect light (such as that reflected off buildings and other surfaces). They also offer excellent protection against the sun’s damaging blue light, which is often overlooked.
However, it is essential to note that the tint on these lenses will fade over time. This can be caused by exposure to UV light and environmental factors such as temperature and humidity.
The best way to prevent this is to keep the lenses out of the sunlight as much as possible and use a UV lamp to activate them periodically. It is also important to note that polarized sunglasses are recommended for full UV protection outdoors and for outdoor sports as they help reduce glare from both the sun and off-axis sources such as reflected light.
They Darken Indoors
Many people love the idea of transition lenses because they offer a middle ground between eyeglasses and sunglasses. They are clear indoors and darken automatically when exposed to sunlight. This provides convenience and saves you the time to carry around both pairs of glasses.
The lenses are tinted by trillions of photochromic molecules that change structure based on UV light. These molecules are layered evenly on the surface of the lens. Plastic photochromic lenses are usually layered on the surface, while glass ones have molecules embedded in them. This gives the lenses a more even tinting.
In colder temperatures, the molecules vibrate more closely and can change the color of the lens faster. This is why it can sometimes take longer for a pair of glasses to reach their full tinting when you are outdoors in cold weather.
Another feature that makes the lenses more attractive is their ability to protect your eyes from harmful blue light. This is because they contain a special filter that helps block out harmful blue light emitted from digital devices like phones and computers.
They Darken in Cloudy Weather
When you’re outside, your Transitions lenses darken to block out the eye-damaging UV rays in sunlight. This can help protect you from skin cancer and premature aging. While hats, sunglasses, and sunscreen can also be helpful, these products aren’t as convenient or comfortable to wear while moving around in different lighting conditions.
Transitions lenses have a patented photochromic tint that darkens when exposed to UV light. The tinting is caused by silver halide and chloride molecules embedded evenly over the lens surface. The light changes the structure of trillions of these molecules, which makes the lenses appear dark. Once the UV light is removed, the lenses return to a clear state.
Using advanced Chromea7 technology, Transitions Signature GEN 8 lenses are more responsive to changing light conditions than ever. They are clear indoors and become darker in bright sun, partial sun, and cloudy weather, and even respond to indirect light — such as the light reflected off of buildings or cars. Depending on your prescription and frame style, you can choose from various tint levels to create the look that is best for you.
They Darken in Sunny Weather
Transition lenses automatically darken when exposed to UV rays, shielding your eyes from harmful glare and protecting the health of your eyes. They fade back to clear when no longer exposed to UV rays, providing just the right shade for your eyes in any conditions.
In addition to the convenience of never having to carry around both your regular glasses and a separate pair of sunglasses, transition lenses provide additional benefits for your vision. For example, some transition lenses include a slight tint indoors that protects your eyes from blue light (emitted by electronic devices like phones and computers) while also helping you focus better.
Photochromic molecules in these lenses’ dyes change structure when exposed to invisible UV rays. These molecules are embedded evenly across the surface of the lens, so you get a consistent level of tint whether you’re wearing glasses or contacts. However, cold weather can cause these molecules to move slower and take longer to adjust from a transparent state to a dark one.