topic Re: Transitions Lenses questions in Wellness

Transitions Lenses questions

Moonchilde — Sat, 18 Jun 2016 23:52:48 GMT

I'll be getting (ordering) new glasses in the coming week. I'm thinking of getting Transitions lenses, but I have questions, so anyone who can help, please do - and thanks!

I've been using fit-over type sunglasses for years and I still have glare problems, especially when driving. Also, I don't feel that OTC type sunglasses are really dark enough. I need darker than off-the-shelf, you-can-still-see-eyes-easily-behind-them tint in order for me to be comfortable, and worth bothering with.

Of the two "extra features" type of Transitions, the Xtra and the Advantage, the Xtra gets the darkest and gets "moderately dark" behind the wheel, and the Advantage supposedly *doesn't * darken behind the wheel, but is polarized - and not as dark as the Xtra.

If these lenses (any of them, including the basic originals most people get) don't darken for driving, how much good are they for daily use? Would I *still* have to use fit-overs while driving?

If anyone has either the Advantage or the Xtra types - they are supposed to be "virtually" clear indoors as opposed to totally clear. Anyone know how tinted they stay?

I have emailed the company with questions but don't know how long before they get back to me, and I wanted the opinions of those who have the lenses, especially anyone who has either the Vantage or Xtra versions.

Re: Transitions Lenses questions

Mz iMac — Sun, 19 Jun 2016 00:02:46 GMT

I have the regular Transitions Lenses. The lenses get very dark on the outside, protecting your eyes from the sun & its glare. You will hardly notice once you get use your Transitions but other people will. When you go inside, people will always know that you have been outside. LOL

The lens get dark according to how bright or dim the sunlight is. The lens can get dark during cloudy days.

The lens also get very dark if there is a lot of snow on the ground.

Either way, w/Transitions, you will never have to deal w/"glare."

Re: Transitions Lenses questions

Moonchilde — Sun, 19 Jun 2016 00:36:25 GMT

Thank you, @Mz iMac. Are they darkened when you're driving?

Re: Transitions Lenses questions

Cpagal — Sun, 19 Jun 2016 00:41:44 GMT

I got my transition lenses at Walmart and paid extra for the type that got the darkest, not sure what their brand was called. I was not happy with them and had them changed out to regular lenses after about 3 weeks. The transition lenses did not get dark enough for me especially while driving. I am very sensitive to glare and sunlight.

My old fitover sunglasses do not fit over my new eyeglasses so I now use the clip on sunglasses that are made for the thicker plastic frames. Not my first preference but they work for me.

I won't order transition lens again nor will my husband.

Re: Transitions Lenses questions

sophiamarie — Sun, 19 Jun 2016 00:49:26 GMT

Windshields in today's vehicles block most of the UV rays that cause Transitions lenses to activate, or darken. As a result, just like clear lenses, Transitions lenses do not activate inside a car. However, Transitions® XTRActive® lenses react to visible light so they do moderately darken behind the windshield.

HTH - I googled the paragraph above. This should answer your questions..

Re: Transitions Lenses questions

nbct — Sun, 19 Jun 2016 00:52:13 GMT

In the car, my regular Transition lens don't darken as much as when I am in direct sun. I still love them though. It sure beats having to change glasses back and forth. I used to have my prescription for distance made into sunglasses. The problem with those was I could only see distance, not close up.

Re: Transitions Lenses questions

Moonchilde — Sun, 19 Jun 2016 01:14:29 GMT

That's what I'm afraid of, @Cpagal, that I'll just be wasting $$ and still have to use fit-overs. They're made dark enough for most people, but maybe not for those who are more light-sensitive than average. I'll ask at the dictor's office and see if they have customers who aren't happy as well, and ask the doctor what he thinks - but then again, they're in the business of selling, so....

Thanks for your input.

Re: Transitions Lenses questions

Moonchilde — Sun, 19 Jun 2016 01:16:48 GMT

Thank you, @sophiamarie, that explains the why not. It's interesting that they don't put the Xtra technology in all the lenses, you'd think people would want it. If I decide to go ahead, it will be the Xtra I go with.

Re: Transitions Lenses questions

Moonchilde — Sun, 19 Jun 2016 01:22:23 GMT

@nbct wrote:
In the car, my regular Transition lens don't darken as much as when I am in direct sun. I still love them though. It sure beats having to change glasses back and forth. I used to have my prescription for distance made into sunglasses. The problem with those was I could only see distance, not close up.

@nbct, back in the Dark Ages I used to pay for prescription sunglasses, but over the years that just got way too expensive, especially with Progressive & High Index lenses. At least, since cataract surgery I no longer need the ultra-thin lenses.

I don't mind the fit-overs but they're not dark enough, and yes, I'm sure it's nice not to be taking off and putting on all the time - I might give it a try for that alone.

Re: Transitions Lenses questions

Mz iMac — Sun, 19 Jun 2016 01:36:49 GMT

@Moonchilde wrote:
Thank you, @Mz iMac. Are they darkened when you're driving?

@Moonchilde

My glasses darken inside of an auto. Once I step outside of the car, they get even darker.

Re: Transitions Lenses questions

VirgoGirl — Sun, 19 Jun 2016 01:37:38 GMT

You want to look for polarized lenses to cut the glare. They are the best for sitting at the beach and when driving with snow or sun glare. Ask your optician to show you the difference between polarized and transition lenses.

Re: Transitions Lenses questions

Moonchilde — Sun, 19 Jun 2016 01:47:48 GMT

@Mz iMac wrote:
@Moonchilde wrote:
Thank you, @Mz iMac. Are they darkened when you're driving?
@Moonchilde

My glasses darken inside of an auto. Once I step outside of the car, they get even darker.

Thank you, @Mz iMac. Good to know they will somewhat. Probably depends on how much UV protection is on the windshield...or not.

Re: Transitions Lenses questions

NickNack — Sun, 19 Jun 2016 11:05:40 GMT

@Moonchilde wrote:
That's what I'm afraid of, @Cpagal, that I'll just be wasting $$ and still have to use fit-overs. They're made dark enough for most people, but maybe not for those who are more light-sensitive than average. I'll ask at the dictor's office and see if they have customers who aren't happy as well, and ask the doctor what he thinks - but then again, they're in the business of selling, so....

Thanks for your input.

The last time I bought glasses I was planning on buying Transitions. The salesman told me I wouldn't be happy with them because they didn't get dark enough in the car.

Re: Transitions Lenses questions

sandy53 — Sun, 19 Jun 2016 11:21:18 GMT

Do they get totally clear indoors or do they still look a little tinted? A friend had some years ago that always looked a little gray. He always looked like he had a bad night.

Re: Transitions Lenses questions

151949 — Sun, 19 Jun 2016 12:04:04 GMT

When we are in Pa for the summer transitions are sufficient - except when in the car where transitions don't work because the auto glass blocks the rays that make them change. When we are in Florida I always use sunglasses over my reg glasses.

Re: Transitions Lenses questions

riley1 — Sun, 19 Jun 2016 12:29:19 GMT

Tried them years ago and did not like them. They just didn't get dark enough when I was outside and stayed a little too tinted when I was inside. I have light blue eyes and they just didn't work for me.

Re: Transitions Lenses questions

Moonchilde — Sun, 19 Jun 2016 12:46:20 GMT

Thank you very much to all who have continued to relate your experiences. I have to confess that your experiences echo my fears - that they just won't get dark enough, and also that they'll remain slightly tinted indoors.

Years ago before they were invented and before UV and anti-reflective coatings were invented, opticians recommended gradient tinting. Once I ordered some (my fault) that were too obviously tinted. Looking back at photos taken at that time, I looked like a sight-impaired person wearing them; back in the day the blind often wore darkly tinted lenses.

I'm surprised the company hasn't developed technology that keeps up with new auto glass technology better. When Transitions was first invented, UV-reflective windshields didn't exist or were rare. Today, most newer cars have it. My new car, bought in January, does, so Transitions wouldn't darken sufficiently for me - and driving glare is why I wanted them. Yet they make "driving glasses" - which don't lighten. Sigh.

It sounds as though Transitions work best for those who live in areas without much very bright full sun, with darker eye color, who don't have to worry about driving glare. I'm sure there are people very satisfied with them; at this point I doubt I would be.

Thanks again for all input.

Re: Transitions Lenses questions

Moonchilde — Mon, 20 Jun 2016 15:26:24 GMT

Interesting! I received an email back from Transitions today and they said that based on my needs I would not be happy with Transitions and should just buy dark polarized sunglasses. So that's that.

Re: Transitions Lenses questions

riley1 — Mon, 20 Jun 2016 17:59:28 GMT

@Moonchilde - That's exactly what I did!

Re: Transitions Lenses questions

Moonchilde — Mon, 20 Jun 2016 18:11:48 GMT

@riley1 wrote:
@Moonchilde - That's exactly what I did!

I was at least impressed with their honesty. They do appear to want customers to be happy.