A Clear Look at Transitions Lenses

All about how optical photochromic technology can reduce the stress of bright light

If you wear prescription lenses, you know how inconvenient it can be to always keep two pairs of glasses on hand – your eyeglasses and your prescription sunglasses. Whenever you head outdoors into bright light, you need to make a quick switch. Then, when you return into the shady indoors, you need to replace your sunglasses with your regular glasses. This whole back-and-forth can get tired. Is there an alternative?

Transitions lenses, also called photochromic lenses, can be a fantastic solution. These specialized lenses darken instantly in response to the sun’s ultraviolet rays and lighten within a few minutes after you return inside. As a result, you only need a single pair of glasses to suit all environments.

At our optical stores in Lewis Center, Westerville, Johnstown and The Solution Center, Ohio, we fit Transitions lenses into the frames of your choice. Stop by Professional VisionCare to look through our optical collection and speak to our staff about the best photochromic lenses for your visual needs. Learn more about our Transitions Promotion.

How new are Transitions lenses?

They’ve been around for decades, since the 1960s. In fact, the chemists who originally developed photochromic glass were the same ones who discovered Corning Ware.

The earliest Transitions lenses were made from glass with built-in silver chloride or silver halide to respond to UV light and darken. Nowadays, they are made from thinner and lighter plastic, and they have built-in chemical dyes that transform in response to UV light.

Are there Transitions contact lenses too?

Yes, and Professional VisionCare is proud to be one of the first optical practices in the area to offer revolutionary contact lenses with built-in Transitions technology! ACUVUE® OASYS with Transitions are cutting-edge contacts that adapt smoothly to light, giving you comfy vision all day long. They are designed to offer you the benefits of photochromic lenses with only a minimal change to the way your eyes appear.

What are the pros and cons of Transitions lenses?

Our optical staff has worked with Transitions lenses for years, and we’re happy to share a rundown of the various benefits they offer, as well as the possible disadvantages:

Pros:

Continuous UV protection; your eye health is always safe from the sun’s dangerous rays
Convenience; Transitions lenses give you crisp, comfortable vision in all environments
Always on-hand; while it’s easy to misplace sunglasses, it’s much harder to lose track of where you put your prescription glasses.
Many options; photochromic lenses come in a range of tints that can be made to match almost all vision prescriptions, including for bifocals and progressives. They also come in shatter-resistant versions.
Economical; you only need to purchase one pair of stylish frames that serve as your prescription glasses and sunglasses

Cons:

Transitions lenses don’t darken well when you’re in a car. The glass of your windshield has some UV protection, and it can interfere with the chemical process that darkens photochromic lenses.
Cold weather can slow the transformation process of your lenses

Should you buy photochromic lenses?

Transitions lenses are extremely convenient and can boost quality of life, but are they the right

choice for your vision and lifestyle? Visit our optical stores in Lewis Center, Westerville, Johnstown and The Solution Center, Ohio to discuss your needs, and we’ll help you see if they’re a good fit.

At Professional VisionCare, we put your family’s needs first. Talk to us about how we can help you maintain healthy vision. Call us today: 614-898-9989 or book an appointment online to see one of our Lewis Center eye doctors.