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The Pros and Cons of Photochromic Lenses

Nov 6, 2021
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Are you carrying both your eyeglasses and sunglasses with you wherever you go? Are you constantly switching back and forth between your glasses and sunglasses and is it really worth it?

A simple alternative is to use photochromic lenses or transition lenses. These special kinds of glasses or contacts darken when exposed to UV rays and they become clear again once the wearer goes inside. These lenses have been around for quite some time, the first pair was manufactured in the 1960s, but they are constantly evolving to accommodate our present needs.

Most eyewear products contain many types of coatings that reduce glare and improve the clarity of vision, as well as helping to give extended UV protection. Most people will switch out their lenses for prescription as needed, but others prefer to leave the transition coating on over their prescription. There are some things you really need to know about it though.

Let's take a look at what these lenses do!

How Do Transition Lenses Work?

Transitional lenses are used to reduce glare when exposed to UV light rays. Transitional lenses or photochromic lenses are even more practical when the glasses wearers encounter changing light conditions throughout the day.

When not exposed to UV light rays, the special dyes within the photochromic lenses of eyeglasses remain stationary. Yet, when exposed to such rays (either naturally or through artificial sunlight) which alter the molecules present in these dyes, they undergo a chemical reaction and metabolize into color pigmentation inside the lenses.

The special coating helps reflect the UV rays that cause damage to one's eyes, these UV rays are why people normally wear sunglasses. Similar to sunglasses, individuals can wear prescription glasses for visual impairment while also being able to see well enough in bright sunlight.

The invention of the photochromic lens presents a miracle for those who rely on wearing prescription eyeglasses, but along with all of its positives, there are a few major cons to take note of.

Pros of Transition Lenses (Photochromic Lenses)

When you wear glasses with transition lenses as part of your eye protection and vision correction solution, you can expect to find some advantages that make your everyday life easier and more convenient.

Whether you're out running errands or at work, you'll discover that these glasses enhance function and fashion. As you know, the simplest solutions are often the best! Here are some pros to investing in photochromic lenses for your fine eyewear needs.

Protect Your Eyes From Blue Lights

As the structure and composition of the photochromic lens have evolved, we've come to realize that such lenses also offer benefits such as blocking the blue light. So, for those of us who work from home, transition lenses are an absolute must-have!


It turns out that many different types of photochromic glasses are able to react to the blue light radiated from our computer screen, making them a desirable choice if you’re prone to computer-related eye strain and migraines.

Convenient and Cost-Effective

When you're on the lookout for a solution to maintaining your eye health, acquiring transition glasses can be a simple and cost-effective choice.

Whether you need just one pair of blue-light glasses, or to buy prescription eyeglasses, wearing photochromic glasses can save you time and money. Especially if you often find yourself needing both prescription sunglasses and regular prescription glasses to address your visual needs.

Wide Range of Styles

If you've ever thought transitional lenses are designed exclusively for the old generation, think again! Photochromic lenses are now readily available across the world in a variety of stylish frames, tailored to meet any fashion trend or occasion.

If you are in need of eyewear that will protect your eyes but is also the trendiest one around town, you should consider transition glasses.

These cost-effective alternatives to prescription lenses are available in several colors, shapes, and sizes. Transition glasses are incredibly versatile for any occasion, whether running errands or attending a movie premiere.

Cons of Transition Lenses

No product is perfect. Even the most innovative idea has its downsides, something every customer needs to understand before purchasing. To assist with this process, it’s important to understand the cons of photochromic lenses to better decide whether they are the best addition to your lifestyle.

Transition Glasses Are Useless While Driving

One of the most important cons of transition lenses is that they are ineffective when worn inside vehicles because their ability to darken or lighten is influenced by the presence of direct sunlight. Thus, it's best to drive with clear lenses if you know you'll be driving.

Transitional lenses are designed with a unique chemical composition that can either become lighter or darker depending on their environment. Due to the windshield in a vehicle blocking the direct effect of UVA and UVB rays, transitional lenses are less likely to darken and block sunlight.

Windshield's UV protection levels can prevent photochromic lenses from darkening. This can lead to harder driving conditions such as frequent squinting because of the amount of sunlight that is able to filter through during sunny conditions.

Transitional Lenses Are Not Effective in Cold Weather

Transitional glasses may not protect eyes from harmful UV rays during winter weather. When temperatures drop, transitional glasses often take a longer time to react to UV light due to the chemical reaction slowing down with the bitter conditions of winter. They can also struggle to protect the eyes from harmful rays when sunlight reflects off of snow.

Not All Photochromic Lenses' Quality Are Same

One of the least discussed but largest issues that arise when purchasing transitional lenses is consistency across brands. What kind of product quality and what kind of results can we expect when we purchase a specific pair? Some brands produce excellent pairs, while others seem to miss the mark entirely.

Are Transitional Lenses Right For You?

Hopefully, this article has given you an idea about whether investing in transitional lenses would be the right choice for you, or if there are more viable alternatives that might fit your situation more appropriately.

If you know what you need but are unsure where to start, consulting with an eye care specialist is the best way to get an idea of exactly which pair of glasses and lenses would match your vision needs best. You can have detailed information about lenses and their features by reading our article titled Our lenses.

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If you need any help to choose glasses or lenses, based on your prescription, just contact us and our professional staff of opticians will help you to find the perfect match! You can reach us at info@getglasses.online and 1-844-655-6490. Also, don't forget to subscribe to our mailing list so you don't miss out on special discounts!

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