Protect Your Eyes From UV Light
Photochromic lenses are mainly used as a form of UV protection for the wearer. Many people wrongfully refer to them as "transition lenses," but in reality, the term "transition lenses" refers to a brand of glasses. The real type of those glasses is called photochromic. The best way to understand this is through a similar situation, as commonly we refer to all facial tissues as Kleenex. In reality, Kleenex is a brand of facial tissues, but the word has become synonyms with all facial tissues.
These types of lenses are not only known as transition lenses, however, and are sometimes better known as "light-adaptive" "light-responsive" or "variable tint" lenses. Though, regardless of what you call them or know them by, all photochromic lenses perform the same task: changing the tint of the glasses depending on the direct UV lighting at the time. This change in tint is done to provide protection against the brightly lit outdoor conditions and help avoid the glare of the sun against your eyes while you're outdoors. Then, when you go back inside, they will transition again to a translucent state to help optimize vision again. Though this transition isn't as instantaneous as taking off sunglasses from your glasses, they eliminate the need for a secondary piece from your lenses while still allowing for a seamless transition from indoor and outdoor wearing.
How Do Photochromic Lenses Work?
Photochromic lenses work through the relationship between the molecules in the lenses and the sun's UV rays. Essentially, because UV rays are ever-present throughout the day, even though the clouds, the lenses are then triggered to shift into their darker state when there are unobstructed UV rays on them, this isn't true while inside a vehicle because more often than not the glass of the windshield is already blocking most of the UV rays.
Some photochromic lenses are capable of being activated by light alone, not just UV rays, but UV rays trigger the most common of these lenses.
These lenses can protect your eyes from nearly 100% of the harmful UV rays, which can save your eyes from future cataracts later in life. Additionally, this protection is why it is often recommended that children's eyewear is made from the photochromic lenses to protect them from both the UV rays and protect them from potential harm as these lenses are ten times stronger at impact resistance than many other lens types.
The Pros and Cons of Photochromic Lenses
Should you consider switching to photochromic lenses for your next pair of glasses? Here are some essential notes to keep in mind while making the decision.
The Pros of Photochromic Lenses
- Cost-Effective -- Eliminating the need of two pairs of glasses for UV protection and indoor use
- Convenient -- No risk of forgetting the attachment or other pair of glasses
- Protection -- Help protect your eyes from harmful UV rays
- Style -- Just like traditional lenses, you won't be limited in terms of style
The Cons of Photochromic Lenses
- Ineffective in cars
- The difference in Brands -- There is an unfortunate difference in the speed of transition and darkness from brand to brand
- Affected by Cold -- Colder weather will affect the glass's ability to transition between translucent and dark efficiently.
