Most people understand that long-term exposure to sunlight’s ultraviolet (UV) rays can cause irreversible skin damage. But few know that UV rays can also cause eye damage, including cataracts and macular degeneration.
That’s why protecting your eyes with lenses that absorb and block UV radiation, like transitions, is essential. The best transition lenses will darken under bright sunlight, reduce glare, and protect your eyes from harmful UV rays. They come in many frame styles, sizes, and prescription strengths.
Blocks UV Rays
Transition lenses, like the ones at Zenni Optical, contain patented photochromic dyes that react to UV rays by darkening when exposed to sunlight and then returning to their clear state in an area without any UV radiation.
These lenses help protect the eyes from harmful UV rays that can lead to eye damage, including cataracts, corneal damage, and macular degeneration. They also filter blue light from the sun and digital devices to prevent eye strain and vision problems. This makes them an excellent choice for anyone who spends much time on their computers, tablets, and smartphones.
When a person wears a pair of transition lenses, they don’t need to carry a separate pair of sunglasses. This can be a huge benefit, as it reduces the risk of misplacing or forgetting a pair of glasses and allows them to avoid switching between two pairs for different lighting conditions. The color-changing properties of transition lenses are influenced by temperature, so that they will react faster in warmer temperatures. This is because the molecules in the lens vibrate more closely together, similar to shivering.
When you first step outside, it takes some time for a pair of transition lenses to darken. This is because the UV rays must reach the active layer of the lens before they can start to darken. You should wait about fifteen minutes before heading indoors if you wear a pair of transition lenses.
Reduces Glare
Aside from protecting you from harmful UV rays, Transition Lenses also help reduce glare. This helps to prevent the eye strain caused by glare from sunlight or headlights on the road. They do this by adjusting from clear indoors to the right tint outside.
In addition, many types of Transition lenses are polarized to help further reduce glare. This is especially important when wearing them while driving. Unlike anti-reflective lenses, which can be scratched or scuffed, the coating on a pair of Transition lenses cannot wear off. However, replacing them after two years is recommended to ensure the best performance.
Blocks Blue Light
Digital devices like phones and computers emit much blue light, harming the eyes and interfering with sleep cycles. Transition lenses are ideal for folks who spend much time in front of screens since they can filter out dangerous blue light. Like other photochromic lenses, Transition lenses darken when exposed to UV rays from sunlight.
This happens because they contain patented photochromic molecules that react to UV rays. Once the UV rays diminish, these lenses lighten back to their clear state. The reaction of these photochromic molecules to UV rays is influenced by temperature, too. When it’s cold, the molecules vibrate more closely together, which makes them darker. They become less kinetically active in warmer temperatures and take longer to fade back to a clear state.
Transition lenses do not fully darken in certain types of weather, including overcast or cloudy conditions. The reason is that they rely on UV light to change tint, and without any UV rays, the lens will not darken. However, polarized sunglasses can be worn with these lenses to increase their UV protection levels. Also, if a prescription is needed to correct an eye condition, these lenses can be used with a standard pair of glasses or sunglasses.
Reduces Eye Sensitivity
When your eyes constantly adjust to the light around you, it can cause eye strain and fatigue. Transition lenses help reduce this by filtering out the harmful blue light from the sun and electronic devices. This lessens the strain on your eyes and makes them more comfortable to wear.
Another way that transition lenses help reduce eye sensitivity is by blocking out the UV rays. These rays can damage the cornea and lens, leading to cataracts and other severe eye conditions. Transition lenses can protect your eyes from these harmful rays by automatically darkening when you go outside and then returning to transparent indoors.
Transition lenses darken and turn back to clear due to the photochromic molecules within them that react to surrounding light conditions. They darken within a few seconds and maintain about a 5-percent residual tint indoors. You can add Transitions to any eyeglasses, including single vision, bifocals, and trifocals. They can even be used with high-index and polycarbonate lenses.
Adding them to your everyday eyeglasses is an inexpensive and convenient way to improve your eyesight while protecting your eyes from UV rays, glare, and harmful blue light. Transition lenses can save you the hassle of carrying around your standard glasses and sunglasses or doing the awkward shuffle between the two. They also come in handy for outdoor activities like window shopping or having lunch on a patio.
