Transitions Lenses vs Prescription Sunglasses

Updated on August 02, 2010
D.W. asks from Minneapolis, MN
19 answers

I lost my prescription sunglasses about a year ago and I'll need new eyeglasses soon. I'm trying to decide between getting Transitions lenses or just getting another pair of prescription sunglasses, or possibly trying to pick a frame that can have those little clips. What have your experiences been? I'm a stay-at-home mom and mostly I need sunglasses for driving and being out at the park/pool with my kiddos, and I wound up not wearing my sunglasses a lot because it meant remembering to bring them with me and change them out with my regular glasses all the time. However, I've also heard from people that the Transitions lenses are sometimes a little tinted even indoors and that that can get annoying. Last time I bought glasses, which was a few years ago now, it seemed like not many of the frame styles had clips that went with them, but maybe that's changed now? Anyway, just wondering if anyone had any strong preferences themselves.
Thanks!

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J.N.

answers from Salt Lake City on

I wear transitions. I don't notice any tint when I'm indoors (although, when I first come in, they take a minute to lighten up, longer if it's cold). They darken nicely outside. The only trick is that they don't always darken as much when I'm driving (there's less direct light on them inside a car), but this is rarely a problem.

It is nice to not have to worry about remembering sunglasses. I was always losing them or leaving them in the wrong place.

3 moms found this helpful
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K.S.

answers from Columbus on

I'm another one that has Transitions. I also love them. Yes, it can be kinda weird walking into a room from outside, but it hasn't lasted long enough to be a problem. I'm really glad that I got them.

2 moms found this helpful

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B.

answers from Augusta on

I have transitions and I LOVE them.
It does take a few minutes for the transition when it's cold.
Only time they don't change when you are in the sun is behind UV resist glass. Mine have never stayed tented indoors for very long.
It's so much easier than carrying around two pairs of glasses.

2 moms found this helpful
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J.G.

answers from Omaha on

Transitions don't darken behind the windshield because of the windshield's uv protection. So if you want them mostly for driving they won't be very helpful.

2 moms found this helpful
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S.R.

answers from McAllen on

I've had my transitions for over a while and I love them, you dont have to switch them, I used the little clip thingys but they would fall so, I just went with this, is really comfortable, I've never notice them transition, I just dont get bothered by the sun, I recommend these to anyone, my MIL and FIL also have transitions, and like me they are really happy with them.

2 moms found this helpful
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A.H.

answers from Omaha on

My mom has the transition lenses and LOVES them! She doesn't notice a difference in the tinting at all. In fact, I can't see the tinting in them when she is out in the sun with them. They are very subtle, but work great.

1 mom found this helpful
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J.Z.

answers from Minneapolis on

I had clip ons for my last pair of glasses and I thought they were really convenient. I kept them in the car, or if I needed to throw them in my purse they didn’t take up much space. My husband has had them for his last two pairs and he loves them too.

1 mom found this helpful

T.C.

answers from Austin on

My husband and I both have the magnetic sunglasses that came with our glasses frames. We like them, especially for driving because they are easy to take off and on. We've tried a different style that clipped on to the frames, and though they worked with different pairs, they were more difficult to put on while driving. We've had problems with losing both kinds, but this time we're doing better and storing them in their cases. With our insurance, they were around the same price as regular frames (transitions lenses would be an extra cost). If we switch frames in the future, we will consider the transitions lenses.
Our son has just started wearing glasses, mostly at school. He had been complaining that his classroom with lots of windows and the TV at home were too bright. He would forget to put on sunglasses or lose them, and he couldn't get away with wearing sunglassess indoors. So for him we got the transitions.

1 mom found this helpful
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R.S.

answers from Milwaukee on

I am a GM of a n optical chain. We recommend transition lenses everyday. Years ago the main complaint was that they didn't get dark enough and that they stay somewhat dark indoors. Over they years they have gotten better. The main downfall is that they really do not work well when driving of you like dark sunglasses. When you are in direct sunlight they get very dark however remember when you are driving you have UV protection in your windshield. My daughter has transitions and non glare in her glasses and she loves them. I would recommend both and they transitions get darker faster and last longer. So to answer your question I guess it depends if you like to wear dark glasses driving. You could always check into 2 pair specials and make one into sunglasses. Keep the sunglasses in your car in a case and still get the transitions. Good luck! Eyeglass shopping is always fun!!!!

1 mom found this helpful
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V.E.

answers from Minneapolis on

I was told by my eye doctor's that the Transitions don't change when you are in the car because of the windshield. I have the Magic Clip glasses that are glasses that come with the sunglass lenses that just have little magnets on the that just click onto the glasses. They match the frame so no one knows that they are separate. I love them and have had the m.c. glasses for my last two glasses now. Not all glasses places carry them (the Vision World in Maple Grove didn't so I went to the v.w. in Blaine instead because they were a bigger store).

1 mom found this helpful
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S.B.

answers from Kansas City on

I hated my transitions lenses. They sense when you are behind glass, so they dont become sunglasses when you're in the car, which is the main time I need them! I went to Walgreen and bought a pair of sunglasses that go over my regular glasses for about 20 bucks and it's been much better.

1 mom found this helpful
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R.W.

answers from San Francisco on

I had Transitions, and I did sometimes get annoyed by how long it took for the lenses to lose the darkness---BUT---
when I got new glasses without the Transitions, guess what? I hated how bright it was, and I was squinting or having to change glasses all the time!
So it is annoying either way, but at least the Transitions protects your eyes from sun damage and squinting. =)

1 mom found this helpful
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K.H.

answers from Des Moines on

I was never a fan of Transitions. Maybe I'm thinking of the "older generation" of them, but they never got light fast enough (for instance walking into the mall I would feel like I couldn't see well for several minutes). Also, my biggest beef was that in photos they always seemed to have this yellowish tinge to them. I got a pair of glasses with the little clippies (magnetic ones) and LOVE them. They are so easy to keep track of since they're slim (just fit in a small case I thrown in my handbag) and they work really well. Plus I never end up wearing sunglasses indoors due to forgetting my normal glasses in the car!! :)

1 mom found this helpful
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C.D.

answers from Omaha on

I love my transition lens and although it does take a bit of time for them to change from one to the other it is more convenient for me to adjust to the glasses then having to search..clip on for either my sunglasses or clip on.

1 mom found this helpful
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R.H.

answers from Milwaukee on

The transition lenses will NOT work when you are driving. My husband likes the ones with either clip on or magnetic sunglasses. He tried the transition and they were of no help when driving! --R. H.

1 mom found this helpful
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S.W.

answers from Minneapolis on

Glasses don't have to be so expensive that you have to chose. Get glasses, sunglasses, or mixed for about $20 a pair at this website (no kidding, several of my friends have and have been very pleased with the product).

http://www.zennioptical.com/home.php?cat=8

1 mom found this helpful
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S.H.

answers from Lincoln on

I have transitions and I love them. I also have a strong enough prescription that I need a tech to measure my face so I look through the right part of the glasses when wearing them (the reason I don't use internet sites to buy my glasses).

Anyway if I want it darker when driving I found a wonderful trick. The style of sunglasses right now is large enough that I can go to most botiques and even Target and try on a few pairs until I find one that fits comfortable over my regular glasses. I use these in the car and sometimes when outside.

1 mom found this helpful
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K.H.

answers from Minneapolis on

i like the transitions much better....but one of my dogs liked them even better an chewed them up....so now i just keep sunglasses on my head..

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A.C.

answers from Madison on

I used to have a pair of prescription sunglasses, but that was years ago. Then for a while I was able to wear a pair of clip-on sunglasses with my glasses, but I always had to make sure to buy glasses that they would fit on. The last time I had to buy glasses, I bought glasses that came with the magnetic sunglasses.

I love them! Lenscrafter doesn't sell any (well, maybe one or two pairs), so I ended up having to buy my glasses/magnetic sunglasses from Shopko. I wear them ALL the time, and when I have to get new glasses, I'll make sure to buy my glasses/magnetic sunglasses from someone who sells them. I liked Lenscrafters, but since they don't sell what I want (they push the prescription sunglasses really hard), then I will continue to go to other stores that will sell me what I want.

The magnetic sunglasses do tend to get scratched up more, but that's more because I'm wearing them all the time. I will probably get a new pair of glasses next year, and for sure I will buy another eyeglass/magnetic sunglass combo again. They have a keeper in me!

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