Photochromic Lens Guide
Photochromic lenses remain a significant option for patients. Over the past year, approximately 22% of eyewear buyers opted for lenses that adjust to changing light conditions, according to findings from The Vision Council’s Consumer inSights report. Additionally, in-person shopping further increases the likelihood of a photochromic purchase—23% in person compared with 19% online—indicating the power of effective communication and proper education with patients.
Here, EB presents a lineup of offerings in the photochromic arena.
ESSILORLUXOTTICA
Transitions lenses, EssilorLuxottica’s suite of photochromic offerings, block 100% of UVA and UVB rays and help protect against harmful blue light across the lens portfolio.
→ Transitions Gen S
According to Transitions, Gen S reaches category three levels of darkness in 25 seconds and fades back in less than two minutes. Available in eight color options, Gen S provides 39% faster vision recovery from intense bright lights compared with clear lenses, with a 39.5% improvement in contrast sensitivity and 40% faster vision recovery compared with Transitions’ previous generation of lenses, EssilorLuxottica shares.
The Ray-Ban Change offers two of the brand’s classic frames powered by this latest launch from Transitions. Crafted with cellulose acetate and Transitions’ photochromic dyes, the Wayfarer and Wayfarer Oval frames change with the lenses, as the color pigments get stronger in the light, EssilorLuxottica shares.
→ Transitions XTRActive
Designed for light-sensitive wearers, Transitions XTRActive new-generation lenses filter up to seven times more blue-violet light than clear lenses indoors, achieve category three sun tint in the heat, and are extra dark in sunlight, blocking up to 86% of blue-violet light outdoors, according to EssilorLuxottica.
→ Transitions Drivewear
Transitions Drivewear, jointly developed by Younger and Transitions, offers the benefits of photochromics and fixed polarization, changing colors to olive green to remove glare in low light conditions, copper to remove glare in daylight, and brown for optimal visibility in intense bright light, EssilorLuxottica shares.
HOYA
Sensity lenses, Hoya’s portfolio of photochromic lenses, help protect against harmful blue light, provide 100% protection against UV rays, and deliver contrast and glare reduction, according to Hoya. All lenses are designed with Stabilight Technology, which, Hoya shares, provides consistent performance despite varying climates and light conditions.
→ Sensity 2
The Sensity 2 light-adaptive lenses provide the best balance of fade-back speed and darkness within the portfolio, Hoya shares, and can reach a category three sun tint outdoors.
→ Sensity Dark
The darkest lenses in the portfolio, Sensity Dark lenses are ideal for light-sensitive patients, with a slight tint indoors and the ability to darken behind most car windshields, Hoya shares.
→ Sensity Shine
Designed with fashion in mind, Sensity Shine lenses feature a mirror coating while in sunlight with the ability to activate behind most car windshields.
→ Sensity Fast
Sensity Fast lenses deliver the fastest fade-back within Hoya’s portfolio and reach a category two sun tint, according to Hoya.
ZEISS
→ PhotoFusion X
Zeiss PhotoFusion X lenses utilize a photokinetic dye compound that speeds up activation when outdoors and the fade-back to clear when indoors, Zeiss shares. The lenses contain billions of compounds that change shape and orientation depending on stimulation from lighting and environmental conditions, resulting in lenses that darken and clear faster than previous generations of PhotoFusion, according to the company.
Additionally, PhotoFusion X lenses offer UV and blue light protection both indoors and outdoors via the Zeiss BlueGuard lens material, Zeiss shares.
PRESENTING TO YOUNGER PATIENTS
When it comes to purchasing photochromic lenses, findings from The Vision Council reveal that baby boomers lead the charge, with 32% choosing photochromic lenses compared with 21% of Generation Xers and 18% of younger generations like millennials and Generation Z.
Rebecca Furuta, ABOC, NCLE, MPH, co-owner of Avenue Vision in Golden, CO, emphasizes the power of recommendations when discussing photochromic lens options with younger patients:
“The worst way to initiate a conversation about light-reactive lenses is to ask, ‘Do you want your glasses to go from light to dark?’ These questions assume that the patient has knowledge about the product and that they have correct information about the newest products.”
Additionally, she suggests thinking further outside the box to pinpoint benefits of photochromic lenses that are more relevant: “Convenience is another piece of feedback we get from younger patients. They like being able to meet their eye health needs without having to tote around multiple pairs of glasses. And with increasing attention being paid to neurodiversity, we find that [photochromics] are a great solution for patients with different sensory needs.”
Tommasina Sideris, O.D., owner of Eyes on Litchfield in Litchfield, CT, shares that photochromic lenses can be a solution to common eye issues: “I had a younger patient who was experiencing light sensitivity, headaches, and eyestrain. She did not have much of a correction. I recommended photochromic lenses…and at her follow-up visit, she reported that her symptoms had totally been alleviated, and she could be on her devices longer for schoolwork.”
