Transitions lenses

[GAN]

well, that's important to know. Others have the same experience?

Mine work fine in the car. It is true they don’t darken as much as if you were outside, but that’s because the tinted car glass reduces some of the light/glare. I believe I did pay for the ”better” transition lenses(photochromic) so that makes a difference as well …but they weren’t all that expensive honestly. I’d say just make sure you know what you’re getting.

 

[loves to dive]

I'm so glad you asked this. I've been putting off going to the eye doctor to get "real" glasses. I've worn reading glasses since I was 21 but I know that I need bi-focals now. Vanity has kept me from getting them but since I have my reading glasses on my face almost all the time, I've decided it's time. I remember my Daddy had transitions right when they came out and he was o.k. with them but they didn't transition very well. Mama always just had a pair of regular glasses and a pair of prescription sunglasses that she switched, which is what I do with sunglasses, I have ones with bi-focals in them so I can read with them on. I'm debating transitions or the old fashioned kind you clip onto your glasses. I can not be out in the sun at all without some sort of sunglasses on.

 

[Christine]

I'm so glad you asked this. I've been putting off going to the eye doctor to get "real" glasses. I've worn reading glasses since I was 21 but I know that I need bi-focals now. Vanity has kept me from getting them but since I have my reading glasses on my face almost all the time, I've decided it's time. I remember my Daddy had transitions right when they came out and he was o.k. with them but they didn't transition very well. Mama always just had a pair of regular glasses and a pair of prescription sunglasses that she switched, which is what I do with sunglasses, I have ones with bi-focals in them so I can read with them on. I'm debating transitions or the old fashioned kind you clip onto your glasses. I can not be out in the sun at all without some sort of sunglasses on.

I actually get Transitions Bi-Focals (I have never been able to deal with Progressive Lenses). Anyway, my distance vision is bad and my reading/up close vision is bad. I tried just to get prescription sunglasses for driving, but I hated that everything else in my car was a blue (dash controls, internal screens, etc). With the exception of the lines, I love having the bifocals. I can see well for distance driving, look at everything internal in my car, and have the sunglass portion for sunny days. They also work well for me at work when I'm in meetings: I use the distance for presentation screens and the lower reading portion for taking notes during the meeting or reading handout. Then I leave the office, walk outside, get my transitions turning to sunglasses, and I can see down the street as well as up close.

Edited to add: When I'm working at a computer, I don't use the bifocals. I just use a pair of readers that work well for me on the computer. I can just get those in the store. That might not work for everyone based on what type of prescription one needs for computer work.

 

[_19disnA]

I see the main benefit from the transition lens is to minimize glare from the sunlight. They work fine for me and never had an issue while driving. If the normal tinted car windows block the glare, seems having your glasses make it even darker would make it difficult to see. If you have unusually sensitive eyes should probably discuss with your eye doctor. I am not an eye doctor and can't speak to what issues could impact how effective they are for others. Even a real doctor won't provide medical advice without seeing their patient and reviewing the relevant medical history.

 

[RogueX]

I bought transition lenses on my new glasses and found they definitely aren't dark enough for me. However, I have to wear really dark sunglasses due to photosensitivity due to migraines, so I wasn't really surprised.

 

[Colleen27]

I like mine, but they are slow to transition in both directions. I splurged on the higher end version of the tint that still changes in the car. Since I use Zenni for my glasses, the tint accounted for something silly like 75% of the final price of the glasses. But I'm glad I did because some days I just don't/can't wear my contacts while I'm dealing with the dust and mildew and such of clearing out my mom's house, and I hate driving without sunglasses, especially in the winter.

They aren't quite as dark as the sunglasses I wear when I've got my contacts in, and they aren't quite perfectly clear in indoor conditions, but they're the best option I've tried short of spending the money for sunglasses in my prescription and hoping I don't misplace them if I go long stretches without needing them.

 

[Kathryn Merteuil]

I had them for a couple years, now I have just gone back to glasses and sunglasses. I actually liked the convenience of them, but I thought wearing them made me look old.

 

[DLgal]

I had them for a couple years, now I have just gone back to glasses and sunglasses. I actually liked the convenience of them, but I thought wearing them made me look old.

How do they make you look old? Maybe you need a different style of frames. My teen boys wear transitions as do most other kids who have glasses here in CA where lots of the schoolday is outdoors. No one looks "old."

 

[a1tinkfans]

I’ve been wearing transition lenses for years. I get them thru Costco for best overall pricing. Despite what people think… there are Few Actual eyeglass manufacturers and many high end brands are made on the Same machinery in the same factory but at different times. I have found that the brown color transitions get darker than the grey tint. Costco has a set of colors and show u the colors/comparisons. they do not work in the vehicle as noted elsewhere. They are simply much more convenient than lugging around several pairs and since my glasses tend to cost Xtra for the UPgrades I request, it’s worth getting them and getting them done correctly as well.

 

[fla4fun]

There are so many different types of Transitions these days. There are a lot of videos on YouTube where they compare the different thpes, how dark they get, and how quickly they change. Perhaps take a look at a few of those to get an idea of what works well for you.

I remember a time when there was only one Transitions lens, and it didn’t get very dark in the car. Now they can.

 

[DLgal]

There are so many different types of Transitions these days. There are a lot of videos on YouTube where they compare the different thpes, how dark they get, and how quickly they change. Perhaps take a look at a few of those to get an idea of what works well for you.

I remember a time when there was only one Transitions lens, and it didn’t get very dark in the car. Now they can.

I guess it depends on where you buy your glasses. Costco only offers one type of Transition lens and it doesn't work in the car. Cars have UV shielding on the glass and these lenses require UV rays to change color.

Buying glasses elsewhere is, of course, an option, but we get out the door for under $150/pair at Costco and that's hard to beat.

 

[buzzrelly]

I had them for a couple years, now I have just gone back to glasses and sunglasses. I actually liked the convenience of them, but I thought wearing them made me look old.

I thought the same thing when I had them.

 

[john7994]

I had them for a couple years, now I have just gone back to glasses and sunglasses. I actually liked the convenience of them, but I thought wearing them made me look old.

Felt the same before I got my first pair, but i think the perception of glasses has changed quite a bit in general over the years ... so don't really feel that way anymore ...

 

[Deb]

Thank you all for the info. Since I'm purchasing primarily for the car, it's starting to look like I should buy a pair of sunglasses.

 

[fla4fun]

Thank you all for the info. Since I'm purchasing primarily for the car, it's starting to look like I should buy a pair of sunglasses.

That’s what my sister does. She has prescription sunglasses and prescription clear glasses. She has never had Transitions.

 

[Kwami]

I guess it depends on where you buy your glasses. Costco only offers one type of Transition lens and it doesn't work in the car. Cars have UV shielding on the glass and these lenses require UV rays to change color.

This is correct. Transition lenses do not and cannot work in the car unless somehow the UV shielding on your windshield isn't there. But, in that case, you're probably getting a sunburn every time you drive!

I have a pair of sunglasses that I keep in the car for driving. For everything else, I use my transitions. The newer Transition lenses go back to clear much faster than the older lenses did. They're dark enough outside, too. The only downside is that my normal glasses have smaller lenses and they don't wrap around the sides at all, so they don't give the same protection and comfort that many normal sunglasses would.

But, how would I even carry a second pair of glasses? I'd have to take a bag around everywhere and that's not always practical. So, I'm very happy to have my Transition lenses.

 

[unrequited23]

My sons have worn transitions lenses forever.

DS11 is due for new glasses--well, at least an exam. I was thinking of getting one pair with the transitions lenses. (We normally get him two pair at a time from Costco.) What do I need to know about kids and transition lenses. I'd appreciate any advice from anyone.

 

[DLgal]

DS11 is due for new glasses--well, at least an exam. I was thinking of getting one pair with the transitions lenses. (We normally get him two pair at a time from Costco.) What do I need to know about kids and transition lenses. I'd appreciate any advice from anyone.

There is nothing special to know. My boys have each been in glasses since age 9. We have done Transitions lenses from day 1. They will still use shatter resistant lenses for kids under 18. At age 18, you can switch to high index (thinner) lenses in the frames.we tend to choose frames that have larger lenses larger so that when they outside and turn into sunglasses, they get good coverage. Something like small rectangles or circles wouldn't be good, for example. We choose more square shaped lenses in general. Costco can put Transitions lenses in all their frames. There are three different colors to choose from (grey, dark green, and brown). We always get the grey. We were told that the brown ones won't go totally clear indoors, and that the grey and green are closer to clear when indoors. They change very fast (within 5 seconds) once you walk outside. They take maybe 10 seconds to change back to clear when going indoors. It's never been an issue for my boys. One is very light sensitive and wears a baseball cap whenever he is outdoors to augment the glasses. But they get plenty dark enough.

 

[Christine]

This is correct. Transition lenses do not and cannot work in the car unless somehow the UV shielding on your windshield isn't there. But, in that case, you're probably getting a sunburn every time you drive!

Yet my Transitions definitely work in my car.

 

[Kwami]

Yet my Transitions definitely work in my car.

Then either they aren't Transitions or your windshield's UV shielding is gone and needs to be replaced. The technology works on UV rays. The windshield blocks UV rays. That's just how it is.