How Do Transition Lenses Work?

Everyone has a pair of sunglasses at the ready for the sunnier days of the year. However, even on the brightest days of the year, you’re generally not going to wear sunglasses inside. Swapping between a pair of sunnies and prescription spectacles all day can be annoying at the least and properly inconvenient in some cases, especially if you prefer to travel light. The ultimate solution? Transition lenses. 

The transition lens is one of the ocular world’s finest inventions, offering an all-in-one spectacle solution for dynamic lifestyles. They’re called transitions (AKA photochromic lenses) because they change their level of tint based on surrounding light conditions, meaning they can be worn as sunglasses in bright conditions and standard glasses in lower light. This blog will expand on how glasses with transitions work, so you can better understand what you might be investing with. 

Photochromic molecules are activated by UV rays

Lenses for transitional eyewear are embedded with microscopic photochromic molecules – special chemical compounds that undergo structural changes when exposed to light and UV radiation. What happens is that the UV rays strike the lenses, changing the shape and configuration of the photochromic molecules. This new molecular structure absorbs more light, causing the lenses to darken. 

Returning to clear glasses

Transition glasses return to their original, clearer state when the UV light source is removed, allowing the molecules to revert to their original structure, clearing up the glasses. 

Other technological elements of transition lenses

Beyond simply going in and outdoors, there are some important functional aspects to consider with transitions. These 

• Brightness isn’t the be-all and end-all. Simply entering a brighter environment isn’t actually going to trigger the darkening reaction. Artificial light doesn’t do the job as manmade lights generally emit very little UV radiation. 

• Temperature considerations. The surrounding temperature can also have an impact on this, with hotter climates increasing darkness and colder temperatures slowing down reaction times. 

• Even tint. The photochromic molecules should be distributed evenly throughout the lens and its surface layer, ensuring a uniform tint across the entirety of the glasses, with no patchiness. 

• Car-based limitations. Windshields won’t completely protect you from UV rays and radiation, however, they might still block out a significant amount of them. This can negatively impact the efficacy of transitions while the wearer is driving. 

Along with all of these additional benefits, proper transition lenses should provide 100% protection for the eyes against UV rays, whether clear or in their dark mode. It’s also worth noting that you might be able to get much more effective lenses if you choose a newer, more reputable brand. More advanced options like Transitions Gen S lenses available at We Will Spec You could be perfect for more consistent performance and speedier transitions, whether in the car or simply on foot. 

Make sure to choose a good supplier for transition spectacles, ensuring they suit your prescription and lifestyle needs in a dynamic, flexible manner.