Transition lenses

[Jedi_Angie]

Anyone use transition/reactolite glasses in Florida? I am considering buying some for my adult autistic son, but his optician said some people have told him uk-bought versions may not work so well in very hot and/or bright countries where air-con is the norm. I’d appreciate any opinions from Dibbers who’ve used them in the Uk and Florida!

[NHH]

Transitions are activated by UV light - so I can’t think that air con would have a negative effect. However anti-glare coatings don’t do well with repeated exposure to temperature extremes.

Worth bearing in mind that transitions don’t work so well in the car, as the windscreen blocks UV.

[BevS97]

I bought some for my last trip and they worked fine. They aren’t as dark as normal sunglasses but so much easier then constantly swapping glasses.

I found mine were ok in the car. Possibly as they were darkened from the walk to the car?

I just got relatively cheap ones from Asda as I wasn’t sure how I’d get on with them but I was very happy with them.

[MissRed]

I have a similar experience to Bev.
Not as good as normal sunglasses but 100% more convenient than swapping. Admittedly I used them sparingly as I prefer contacts in the parks, but the times I needed a contact lens break they were more that suitable.

This was in August, so doesn't get hotter or more air conned that that!

[DonnaD]

I still have UK transition lenses but live in Florida. They do react well except in the car as mentioned. However, unless I am wearing a hat and only outside briefly I still feel the need to change to my prescription sunglasses. I think part of the problem is that the lenses on my normal glasses are just not big enough to work as sunglasses plus they are no where near as dark. I wouldn't buy them just for your trip TBH.

[disney_chick13]

Hello!

I would recommend Transitions XtrActive, they are slightly more expensive but worth it as they go a little darker than the standard ones and they do react in a car!

Can you tell I’m an optician 😜

[floridasarah]

This is great as I need to get some. I have varifocals too so will be extra expensive for me

[THE WIZARD]

Originally Posted by disney_chick13

Hello!
I would recommend Transitions XtrActive, they are slightly more expensive but worth it as they go a little darker than the standard ones and they do react in a car!
Can you tell I’m an optician 😜

See more...

Thats interesting for me. I have to wear sunglasses even in winter if the sun is bright & found the transition ones for me useless, nowhere near dark enough. That was about 4 years ago, so I may look into it again.Thanks for the Heads Up.

[Libby]

It's a few year since I wore them but I found it took some time for them to go clear. This was annoying when going onto dark rides.

I ended up buying some clip on sunglasses that also flip up. Not a good look but especially useful when driving as I don't have to take them off/on.

[Caroian]

I find transitions most useful as a "third pair". So I have regular glasses that I wear most of the time and regular sunglasses which I use for long periods outdoors - especially for reading outdoors - ad also for driving on sunny days. Transitions, as others have mentioned, don't go as dark as regular glasses but I find them useful for things like days out where I am going inside and outside frequently so I can avoid keep changing. It also means that they are a back up for each of my other pairs should anything happen to them. Effectively I choose to have my spare pair be transitions so they can be a spare for both regular glasses and sunglasses, if that makes sense.