From Screen Time to Sunshine: The Versatility of Transitions® Lenses

What are Transitions® lenses?

Imagine a pair of glasses that can effortlessly adapt to your surroundings, offering just the right amount of light protection wherever you go. This is the promise of Transitions® lenses.
At their core, Transitions® lenses are photochromic lenses, meaning they react to changes in light intensity. Indoors, they remain clear, providing the crisp vision you need while working on a screen or reading a book. Step outside, and they darken automatically to shield your eyes from UV rays and excessive brightness. This seamless transition is powered by advanced light-adaptive technology, which uses millions of molecules embedded in the lenses to respond instantly to ultraviolet light.

But Transitions® lenses do more than just darken and lighten—they actively protect your eyes. These lenses filter out harmful UV rays and block a significant portion of high-energy visible (HEV) blue light, which is emitted not only by digital screens but also by the sun. By reducing exposure to these harmful elements, Transitions® lenses support long-term eye health while preventing common issues like eye strain, headaches, and fatigue.
With their innovative technology, these lenses cater to a variety of lifestyles and needs, offering a perfect balance between clarity, comfort, and protection. Whether you’re working indoors, exploring nature or going from one thing to the next, Transitions® lenses will ensure your eyes are always ready for whatever you do.

Transitions® lenses are crafted using innovative technologies and specialized materials to deliver their unique photochromic properties. Here’s an overview of the key materials and processes involved in their creation:

• The base materials for Transitions® lenses typically include polycarbonate lenses, valued for their impact resistance and lightweight design, and CR-39, an acrylic resin known for its optical clarity. These materials are chosen for their transparency, durability, and lightweight comfort, making them ideal for everyday use.
• For thinner affordable prescription glasses tailored to higher degrees of myopia or hyperopia, high-index materials are used. These ensure minimal thickness while maintaining excellent visual quality.
• The standout feature of Transitions® lenses lies in their advanced photochromic molecules, which respond dynamically to UV blocking glasses conditions.
  These molecules are either applied as a surface coating or embedded directly into the lens material during production.
  When exposed to sunlight, the molecules undergo a chemical reaction, causing the lenses to darken and provide optimal UV protection sunglasses. Indoors, these molecules revert to their original clear state, ensuring seamless adaptation to lighting changes.

The latest generations of Transitions® lenses feature integrated filters designed to protect against high-energy visible (HEV) blue light emitted by screens and modern lighting sources. This is achieved through the modification of photochromic molecules, which activate not only under UV rays but also in response to specific wavelengths of visible light.

Manufacturing Process

• Dynamic Adaptation:
  These lenses adjust instantly to changing light conditions, making them perfect for prescription sports glasses, driving, or outdoor activities.
• Blue Light Blocking Glasses Technology: Modern Transitions® lenses incorporate filters that shield against high-energy visible (HEV) blue light, emitted by digital devices and artificial lighting. This reduces eye strain and improves visual comfort.
• Long-Term Eye Health: Blocking 100% of UV rays and filtering significant blue light exposure helps prevent potential retinal damage and reduces fatigue during extended computer glasses use.

Benefits for Individuals with Specific Medical and Vision Needs

• Light Sensitivity: People with sensitivity to bright light will appreciate the ability of Transitions® lenses to reduce glare and provide comfortable vision in any lighting conditions.
• Astigmatism and High Myopia: The availability of various prescriptions ensures that these lenses can be customized to meet individual needs, offering clarity and comfort for those with astigmatism or significant nearsightedness.
• Specialist Recommendations: Ophthalmologists endorse photochromic lenses as an effective solution for protecting eyes from harmful light exposure, especially for patients with heightened sensitivity or predispositions to certain eye conditions.

Scientific Basis and Proven Effectiveness

Numerous studies highlight the harmful impact of blue light on eye health and sleep quality:

• A study published in Ophthalmic and Physiological Optics revealed that around 50% of digital device users experience eye strain due to prolonged screen time.
• Prolonged exposure to blue light contributes to oxidative stress in the retina, increasing the risk of age-related macular degeneration (AMD).
• Research from Molecular Vision confirms that high-energy visible (HEV) blue light can induce retinal cell apoptosis with extended exposure.
• A study from the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS) found that evening exposure to blue light suppresses melatonin production by 23% and delays sleep onset by approximately 10 minutes.

Lenses equipped with blue light blocking glasses technology, such as Transitions® lenses, effectively reduce blue light exposure. These lenses can block up to 20% of blue light indoors and up to 87% outdoors, minimizing eye fatigue and enhancing visual comfort. Their effectiveness is supported by clinical trials and years of practical use.