Transitions eyeglass lenses -- reviews?

[Anonymous]

Can anyone offer a review of transitions eyeglass lenses? I had some as a kid in the 80's, and sometimes they were dark even though I was inside. It looked terrible. Thanks!

[Anonymous]

I just got glasses and the employee said the lenses still stay a bit darker at times. She couldn't guarantee they'd always be clear.i too thought they must have made some advances since the last time I had them in the 80s, but apparently they haven't advanced enough.

[Anonymous]

I agree that they still look trenchcoat-mafiaish.

[Anonymous]

My husband just got a pair and he loves them. The technology has improved over the years. He was wearing them inside yesterday and they looked clear to me.

[Anonymous]

I asked about them the last time I was shopping for eyewear and the clerk at the store advised me against them. Since I figure they are only to happy to get as much money from me as possible, I took that as an honest assessment of their mediocrity.
Clerk mentioned the following problems:
1. Take a while to "transition"
2. If you are in your car, they won't darken.
Since the car is one of the places I need/want sunglasses the most, I decided not to go with them.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I asked about them the last time I was shopping for eyewear and the clerk at the store advised me against them. Since I figure they are only to happy to get as much money from me as possible, I took that as an honest assessment of their mediocrity.
Clerk mentioned the following problems:
1. Take a while to "transition"
2. If you are in your car, they won't darken.
Since the car is one of the places I need/want sunglasses the most, I decided not to go with them.

1. What's a while? They don't switch in 1 second like the commercial. The change is gradual, within a couple of minutes.
2. Not true. unless all your windows are polarized, the UV rays will still darken them. Sometimes even on an overcast day, my glasses are dark. IMO, they are not a replacement for sunshades (for driving purposes) but they are fine for general use.

[Anonymous]

I don't like the transition look especially at work. I just got three new glasses: main one, backup pair and prescription sunglasses.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I don't like the transition look especially at work. I just got three new glasses: main one, backup pair and prescription sunglasses.

Primary reason why I got transitions. Yes, it does take a bit to get clear, but I think they are common enough that people know that you are not rocking shades inside.

[Anonymous]

They just don't look right. They've improved somewhat but not enough IMO.

[Anonymous]

I have them and they aren't perfect. My main gripe is that they do take a while to transition back to normal after being outside. I usually push them up on top of my head when I step inside after being outside for a while. Within 5 mins, they are back to normal. I wish it happened faster. Otherwise, I like them.

[Anonymous]

I HATE HATE HATE them!!!!

I was having horrible migraines and it took me several months to realize it was the damn transition lenses.

It takes several minutes to change so if I enter I exit a garage ill suffer to see well for 5 minutes!!! I almost got into an accident because I entered our buildings garage and a car with no lights on was coming in the wrong way and obviously with dark lenses I didn't see it. I wear 5+ Rx so I can't just remove the glasses and wait for it to change.

Even inside they change so when I walk to a room with less light again it's all dark. It's worthless!

[Anonymous]

I like them, but they are not my primary pair -- mainly use them when I will be outdoors in the open (exercising/ walking).

It is true that they don't darken in the car (since auto glass has UV filter and UV is what makes transitions darken). So if you want something for driving, look elsewhere.

Also true that they can take time to clear up -- this depends on the temperature. Summer no problem. If it's cold out and I walk into a dark restaurant, I have to make someone go first.

Also true that they have a bit of a "tinge" to them even when clear.

Despite all this, I like them -- I have a strong prescription and found it too annoying to have to carry around 2 sets of glasses.

[Anonymous]

I've been wearing Transitions lenses for years and think they're great. Sure, they do take a short while to return to clear after coming back indoors (but are clear by the time I return to my desk). The technology has really improved and they have multiple options -- there's the normal clear-to-dark lenses, but they also offer lenses (XTRActive) that darken in a car. These are both UV and light activated, so they have the slightest of tints indoors (not noticeable over most skin tones) which I really like given how much of my day I spend looking at computer, smartphone and tablet screens. My eyes are noticeably less tired. They also have a new type that go from clear to dark and polarized. Super if you spend time near water.

Bear in mind, there are other brands of photochromic lenses out there that are nowhere near as good. My husband accidentally purchased what he though were Transitions lenses but when we compared them to mine, we could quickly see they were not the same. The tint was different (his were more purple?) and they didn't darken as fast. Plus they looked tinted inside. So you have to be careful. He bought his at either Walmart or JCPenny.

I love my Transitions lenses and wear them daily. I do keep polarized lenses in the car as my commute is often when the sun is just above the horizon -- for that you really do need a very dark sunglass.

Try them out!

[Anonymous]

I got a pair in 2010. I HATED them. I finally got new glasses last week, and I'm so happy that they are not transitions.

[Anonymous]

I really like my transition lenses and have had them for three years. I've had my Rx changed twice and the only complaint I have is a rainbow effect on the lenses when light hits it from a angle. Have sent them back several times to make new lenses but end up with the same results. Street lights will look smeared too.