What are Transition Contact Lenses?
Transition contact lenses type of contact includes breakthrough light-management technology. It allows the lenses to darken automatically when exposed to bright light. They do this without sacrificing visual acuity (sharpness of vision) or comfort.
In April 2018, the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved the first-ever transition contact lenses - Acuvue Oasys Transitions.
Acuvue Oasys with Transitions
(FDA-approved)
These innovative contacts balance the amount of indoor and outdoor light allowed to enter your eyes, including blue light from devices. When exposed to UV and/or HEV light, they darken slightly for protection without dramatically changing the appearance of your eyes.
You can use these transition contact lenses daily if you have myopia (nearsightedness) or hyperopia (farsightedness). Even those who do not have vision problems can wear them.
These are "biweekly" lenses, meaning they must be replaced approximately every 14 days.Like any type of contact lens, it is important to maintain good eye care practices. Transition contact lenses still have the risk of complications, such as infections.
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How Do Transition Contact Lenses Work?
Transition contact lenses are similar to transition eyeglasses. They have a photochromic additive. This means your eye will filter visible light according to UV and High Energy Visible (HEV) light quantity.
When this happens, the lenses darken slightly to compensate for the increased sunlight. However, if you return indoors, your contact lenses become clear again within 90 seconds.
You’ll want to remember that while these contacts provide UV protection, they are not substitutes for UV-protective sunglasses or goggles. The contact lenses do not cover the entire eye and expose areas to harmful UVA/UVB radiation.
What Do They Look Like?
The contact lenses will have a clear-to-slightly tinted appearance in normal indoor lighting conditions. However, if you wear these transition lenses outside, they will become darker when exposed to UV and/or HEV light.
The lens manufacturer designed the contact lenses to minimize outward changes to your eye’s natural look.
However, the tint is temporary because these lenses fade quickly to clear when you’re no longer in direct sunlight.
Who Are Transition Contact Lenses For?
These transition contact lenses may be suitable if you are diagnosed with myopia (nearsightedness) or hyperopia (farsightedness).
The lenses do not correct astigmatism.
However, transition lenses may be worth considering if you have no vision problems but would like to enjoy the light management benefits.
Who Should Avoid Transition Contact Lenses?
If you have any of the following conditions, you should not use these transition lenses:
- Inflammation or infection in or around the eye
- Any eye disease, injury, or abnormality that impacts the cornea, conjunctiva (the mucous lining on the front of the eye), or eyelids
- Severe dry eye
- Diminished corneal sensitivity
- Red or irritated eyes
- Previously diagnosed condition that causes discomfort when you wear contacts
- Allergic reactions on the eye’s surface or surrounding issues that could be caused by contact lenses and/or their lens solution
- Systemic disease that could impact the eye or become more problematic when you wear contacts
Approximately 42 percent of Americans between the ages of 12 and 54 have myopia, while 5 to 10 percent of all Americans suffer from hyperopia.
the National Eye Institute,
Are Transition Contacts Safe & Effective?
The FDA provided clearance for the use of these transition contact lenses. This means that the governmental organization considers these contacts to be both safe and effective.
To reach this decision, the FDA reviewed different scientific evidence. For example, the FDA reviewed a clinical study of 24 subjects wearing contact lenses while driving during the day and/or night. The study showed no problems related to driving performance or vision among contact lens wearers.5
Also, the FDA looked at the Acuvue Oasys Contact Lenses with Transitions Light Intelligent Technology through the premarket notification 510(k) pathway.
A 510(k) refers to when a device manufacturer makes a premarket submission to the FDA to show their device is considerably equivalent to a predicate device. A predicate device is a legally marked medical device that a manufacturer may use as a reference to get approval from the FDA.
Approximately 45 million people wear contact lenses in the United States.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
Pros and Cons of Transition Contacts
Transition contacts have both advantages and disadvantages.
Pros of Transition Contacts
Here is a list of some of the benefits of wearing these contact lenses:
- Adapts to different light conditions. These lenses automatically adjust to light settings in little time. For example, when the lenses are exposed to outdoor light, they become more tinted.
- Improves vision at night. On average, you can experience fewer halos and starbursts by approximately 18 and 28 percent.
- Filters blue light. These lenses can block around 15 percent of blue light indoors and 55 percent in outdoor settings.
- Provides UV light protection. You can enjoy 100 percent protection against UVB rays and more than 99 percent against UVA rays.
- Contrasts color better. These lenses can enhance color contrast by up to 38 percent.
- Reduces vision problems caused by bright light. Indoor and outdoor bright light can make you squint or have trouble seeing clearly. These lenses help minimize this problem.
- Could enhance appearance. Some people may feel more confident because they wear contact lenses that do not affect their overall look.
- Doesn’t fog up. Unlike glasses which can fog up when you’re outdoors or in low-temperature environments, these contact lenses will maintain their clarity.
Cons of Transition Contacts
Here is a list of some of the downsides of wearing these contact lenses:
- Run the risk of eye infection. Despite the breakthrough technology, these contact lenses increase your risk of eye infections, like keratitis. These infections can happen due to poor hygiene and eye care practices at home.
- Increase the risk of blindness. If you develop a serious eye infection due to the lenses, you could suffer blindness. On an annual basis, blindness affects approximately 1 out of every 500 people who wear contact lenses.
- Becomes expensive. Buying contact lenses is not cheap and could increase your monthly expenses. Glasses are a more economical alternative.
How Much Do Transition Lenses Cost?
Transition lenses’ prices will vary depending on where you purchase them.
For example, if you purchase these lenses at 1-800 Contacts, a box of six lenses costs you around $48.This is just under $100 for a three-month supply for both eyes.
However, if you are not sure about whether to spend the money or not, you can download a certificate from the home page of Acuvue Oasys Contact Lenses with Transitions Light Intelligent Technology.
This certificate will let you ask for free trial lenses from participating eye doctors. It is important to remember that you will have to pay for the eye exam and fitting fees.
Are They More Expensive Than Regular Contact Lenses?
Prices for contact lenses vary from one set to the next.
Costs will depend on:
- The severity of your vision problem
- The brand of contact lenses
- Additional product features
However, that aside, transition lenses fall within a similar price range. Also, with vision insurance, you may be able to save more on out-of-pocket expenses.
Where Can I Buy Transition Contacts?
Acuvue Oasys with Transitions
1800 Contacts
1-800 Contacts has millions of contacts in stock, provides 24/7 customer support, and a best-price guarantee. They offer free returns and exchanges and torn lens replacement. We recommend them for all your contact lens needs.
Or you can buy transition contacts from a local drugstore retailer or an optometry clinic. You can speak with your optometrist or ophthalmologist to find out where to purchase transition contact lenses.
Summary
Transition lenses are contact lenses that provide extra protection from UV rays and blue light. They turn normally clear lenses into tinted ones when exposed to bright light. Consult your optometrist or ophthalmologist if you want to switch to transition lenses.They can help you decide which lens type is best for your eyes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are transition contacts similar to transition glasses?
Yes. Transition contacts have the same photochromatic additive in transition glasses that help them darken when exposed to natural sunlight.
Do transition lenses help astigmatism?
No. At this time, transition lenses are not available for patients with astigmatism.
How long do transition lenses last?
You can wear transition lenses every day for up to 14 days. You must maintain proper care throughout that period to avoid possible eye infections.
Do transition contacts replace sunglasses?
No. Transition contacts do not replace sunglasses. While transition contacts protect against UVA and UVB rays, parts of your eye and the surrounding area remain exposed to the radiation. It is important to use proper UV protective eyewear.
Do transition contacts work indoors and outdoors?
Yes. These transition contacts work both indoors and outdoors. The lenses will change according to how much light is present in the setting. They will become clear again within 90 seconds if you go from outdoors to indoors.
Can I wear them while driving?
Yes. You can. A clinical study showed that driving performance remained unaffected when people wore transition lenses. The lenses work behind a windshield and can reduce halos and starbursts at night.
Can the lenses filter out blue light?
Yes. The lenses can actively filter out blue light indoors by up to 15 percent. These lenses can filter out up to 55 percent for blue light outdoors.
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FAQs
Transition Contact Lenses (Safety, Pros, Cons & Costs)? ›
Cost effective – Photochromic or transitional lenses can actually be quite cost effective. With transitional lenses, you end up not having to buy two pairs of glasses: prescription sunglasses and normal glasses. You get the best of both, rolled into one simple solution.
What are the pros and cons of transition lenses? ›- Comfort. Transition lenses are comfortable to wear since they do not require switching between glasses. ...
- Protection. Transition lenses protect your eyes from UV rays and blue light. ...
- Convenience. ...
- Cost-Effective. ...
- Brand Differences. ...
- Not Efficient in Vehicles. ...
- Affected By Weather.
Cost effective – Photochromic or transitional lenses can actually be quite cost effective. With transitional lenses, you end up not having to buy two pairs of glasses: prescription sunglasses and normal glasses. You get the best of both, rolled into one simple solution.
How safe are transition lenses? ›Are transition safety glasses bad for your eyes? No, and in fact, they are the opposite. Transition safety glasses can help ease the strain on eyes as they automatically adjust to various lighting conditions, helping mitigate potential headaches, eye strain, or worse.
How much do transitions cost? ›For patients not covered by health insurance, transition lenses typically add $100-$400 to the cost of prescription eyeglasses, which can cost up to $1,000, depending on the frames, lenses and any additional features chosen.
Why is transition lens so expensive? ›One reason progressive lenses cost more than other kinds is that they're harder to make. Cutting and shaping the gradient on progressive lenses is simply a more delicate and time-consuming process than cutting a lens with the same prescription throughout—or even one with multiple fixed prescriptions.
How many years do transition lenses last? ›Transitions lenses are designed to last two years, which is generally the lifetime of your vision care prescription. In order to keep your prescription lenses current, regular, comprehensive eye exams are recommended to determine any prescription changes and help prevent any other eye problems.
Do transition lenses wear out over time? ›Wear & Tear
Over time, photochromic lenses become less effective. They generally last around 3 years before they lose their ability to darken when exposed to UV light.
Since UV rays are able to penetrate through the clouds, not only do transition lenses darken on bright sunny days, but also when the sky is cloudy and overcast. Transition lenses automatically adjust their color according to the light and UV intensity in the environment.
What color for transitions is best? ›If you are looking for better contrast to increase visual acuity for things like golfing and fishing, then transition brown is the color for you. If you are looking for the absolute darkest transition lens possible, you should veer towards transition gray.
Can you wear transition lenses for driving? ›
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. In fact, many people use them while driving.
Can you wear transition lenses at night? ›While transition lenses are more useful for deflecting glare and sunlight when you're driving during the day, transition lenses are also good for night driving in some cases. The strongest case for using transition lenses to drive at night is that they can create sharper vision in low-light conditions.
Are transition lenses better now? ›Historically, the longevity of transition lenses had a life expectancy of around 1–2 years. After this time, they lost some of their reactivity and got a permanent tint to them. However, modern transition glasses have improved over the years, and now last 2–3 years.
Can transition lenses cause blurred vision? ›One of the most commonly reported side effects of progressive lenses is blurry or fuzzy peripheral vision.
Can transition lenses fail? ›Transition lenses generally last the life of a pair of glasses (or longer), though they do wear out after years of use. Most Transition lenses wear out in about three years, with a yellowish tinge forming in the lenses while clear and a noticeable reduction of the lenses' darkness in full sunlight.
Are transition contact lenses covered by insurance? ›Most leading vision care plans—such as Anthem, EyeMed, VSP, and Versant Health's Davis and Superior plans—cover Transitions lenses for a fixed co-pay that may vary based on your plan's details. And some offer Transitions lenses to kids for free.
How do you clean transition lenses? ›HOW DO I CARE FOR MY TRANSITIONS® LENSES? Transitions® lenses can be cleaned like most lenses – with a lens cleaner, mild soap or a microfiber lens cleaning cloth. Do not use window cleaner to clean your prescription eyeglasses, as it contains chemicals that could break down the coatings on your lenses.
Are transition lenses hard to get used to? ›Progressive lenses can be difficult to get used to initially, and you may experience distortion in your vision until you get used to them. It can take anywhere between a week to a couple of months to adapt and get used to progressive lenses.
How much do progressive transition lenses cost at Costco? ›| Lens Prices | Single Vision | Progressive |
|---|---|---|
| RX-able.com | $28/pair | $58/pair |
| Costco | $91/pair | $160/pair |
| *In most cases, Rx-able.com edges new lenses in your frame within 24 hours of receiving your frame. | ||
How Much Do Transition Lenses Cost? Transition lenses' prices will vary depending on where you purchase them. For example, if you purchase these lenses at 1-800 Contacts, a box of six lenses costs you around $48. This is just under $100 for a three-month supply for both eyes.
Do transition lenses work in sunset? ›
Driving: Transitions lenses can help reduce glare and improve visibility while driving, especially during sunrise and sunset when the lighting can change quickly.
Do transition lenses work in the winter? ›These photochromic lenses allow the wearer to effortlessly protect their eyes. transitions lenses benefit the wearer even when it is not a hot summer day, as UV rays are present even when it is overcast or the middle of winter.
Do you need anti glare with Transitions lenses? ›In short, if you want to enjoy clear, comfortable, and visually appealing vision with your transition or photochromic lenses, an anti-reflective coating is a must-have addition.
Can I use Windex on my transition lenses? ›However, it is important that you never use Windex to clean your eyeglasses. Windex is a harsh chemical that can permanently damage eyeglass lenses and any special coating they may have on them. Windex may also damage or strip the frames of their plating.
Do transition lenses darken at night? ›In short, Transitions lenses quickly darken when worn outdoors in sunlight and fade back rapidly when the wearer returns indoors.
What color lens is best for cloudy? ›If you're in low light conditions, hazy fog, or cloudy weather when you wear sunglasses, a yellow, green, or gray tint might be best for you. If you use sunglasses in brighter conditions, a gray, blue, or red lens might be best.
Does cold weather affect transition lenses? ›Cold weather can affect the transition.
While Transitions lenses darken when exposed to UV rays, temperature influences how quickly the photochromic molecules react in your lenses. Cold weather causes the molecules to move more slowly, so it may take longer for your lenses to darken.
A There is no truth in this old wives tale! Some photochromics will appear darker, or even too dark, in cold temperatures due to slower opening and closing of the photo-chromic molecules, but storing your lenses in the freezer will not enhance performance or life span.
What is the newest transition lens? ›Transitions® XTRActive® new generation lenses are designed to provide light-sensitive eyes with extra protection from intense lights indoors, outdoors, and even in the car.
What is the best frame style for transition lenses? ›In general, Transitions lenses look best in larger frames that work indoors and provide a sunglass look outdoors. Throw it back with cat-eye frames for an effortless monochromatic look, or try metal frames, which are perfectly complementary to emerald Transitions Signature lenses.
What does a good transition look like? ›
What are the components of good transition sentences? They make an explicit connection between ideas, sentences, and paragraphs. Good transitions use specific words. Try to avoid using pronouns like “this” to refer to an entire idea because it is not always clear who or what “this” refers to.
Are transition lenses as strong as sunglasses? ›Do Transition Glasses Offer UV Protection? Yes, these eyeglasses protect your eyes from UV rays. Once fully darkened, these glasses function just like your regular pair of UV-resistant sunglasses.
Do you need blue light with transition lenses? ›The answer is yes! In fact, many people prefer to get their blue light glasses with transition lenses because it offers the most protection from harmful blue light. Transition lenses are a type of photochromic lens that gets darker in the sun and lighter indoors.
Which Transitions are best for driving? ›Transition™ has created several options over the years, but the four best known are Signature GEN 8, XTRActive, Vantage, and DriveWear. It is good to know that not all lens types have polarization capabilities, and only some are recommended to wear while operating a vehicle.
What are the best lenses for driving? ›While gray, brown, and amber lenses are good for daytime driving, and clear lenses are best for nighttime driving, there are some lens colors that you should avoid wearing while driving at any time. Shades of blue, green, and pink all impact how much light reaches your eyes.
Which is better progressive or transition lenses? ›For progressive lenses, you won't need to carry a pair of glasses for distance and another for reading. For Transitions lenses, you don't need to carry a pair of regular glasses and a pair of Transitions lenses. Another major difference is that Transitions lenses provide much more protection of your eyes.
Do transition lenses work while driving? ›However, Transitions® XTRActive® lenses react to visible light so they do moderately darken behind the windshield. In fact, many people use them while driving. In addition Transitions line of adaptive sunglasses and shields are designed to enhance your vision in outdoor sports or activities.
Do transition lenses make things blurry? ›What can you expect as you adapt to progressive lenses? One of the most commonly reported side effects of progressive lenses is blurry or fuzzy peripheral vision. The blurriness is usually most noticeable through the lower portion of the lens and to the left and right of near and immediate zones.
Is gray or brown better for transition lenses? ›If you are looking for better contrast to increase visual acuity for things like golfing and fishing, then transition brown is the color for you. If you are looking for the absolute darkest transition lens possible, you should veer towards transition gray.
Can you use lens wipes on transition lenses? ›HOW DO I CARE FOR MY TRANSITIONS® LENSES? Transitions® lenses can be cleaned like most lenses – with a lens cleaner, mild soap or a microfiber lens cleaning cloth. Do not use window cleaner to clean your prescription eyeglasses, as it contains chemicals that could break down the coatings on your lenses.
How much more does transition lenses cost? ›
Transition lenses add roughly $100–$400 to the cost of prescription eyeglasses. There are many factors that come into play around that cost, including the type of lenses you're buying. The options are plastic, polycarbonate, bi-focal, and progressive lenses.
What is the cost of transition and progressive lenses? ›Our Price: $229.00 per pair!
Do transition lenses work in the shade? ›Transitions XTRActive are designed to change to sunglasses when outdoors and are darker than typical lens, they also have a light tint indoors to shade from harsh lighting. XTRActive lenses are also designed to react inside the car and behind the windscreen to protect your eyes from harsh sunlight while driving.
Do transition lenses make it harder to see at night? ›While transition lenses are more useful for deflecting glare and sunlight when you're driving during the day, transition lenses are also good for night driving in some cases. The strongest case for using transition lenses to drive at night is that they can create sharper vision in low-light conditions.
Which transitions are best for driving? ›Transition™ has created several options over the years, but the four best known are Signature GEN 8, XTRActive, Vantage, and DriveWear. It is good to know that not all lens types have polarization capabilities, and only some are recommended to wear while operating a vehicle.