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What Are Transition Lenses?

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Key Takeaways

  • Transition lenses stay clear indoors and darken outside when they sense UV light.
  • One pair works as both glasses and sunglasses, which can save you money.
  • They block UVA and UVB rays and can filter blue-violet light with the right coatings.
  • They may darken slower in cold weather and often won’t darken inside a car.
  • They suit adults, seniors, and children, and pair with progressive prescriptions.

How Transition Lenses Work

Transition lenses, also called photochromic lenses, darken in response to UV light. This allows them to work as regular glasses while you’re inside and as sunglasses when you go outdoors.

Our team at West Coast Optical is here to help families find lens options that match their lifestyle needs. If you’re interested in Transition lenses or would like to compare them with other options, we offer a range of frames and lens options.

Transition Lenses for You and Your Family

Transition lenses have special dyes that respond to UV light. When you go outside, these dyes darken in response to the sun. When you go back inside, your lenses become clear again.

Two Pairs in One

Transition lenses do the job of both normal glasses and sunglasses, all in one pair. This also means that you only have to pay for 1 set of frames and lenses.

Eye Protection from UV Light

Sunlight reaches your eyes even on cloudy days. Transition lenses help by blocking 100 percent of UVA and UVB light. Too much UV exposure can raise your risk of cataracts and other eye conditions over time, so it’s important to stay protected.

Convenience for Busy Days & Active Kids

Active kids—and active adults!—frequently misplace their glasses. Having your glasses and sunglasses combined into one pair means that you don’t have to switch between lenses every time you go outside. Not only does this mean that you’re less likely to lose a pair, it also saves you the tedium of constantly having to switch between indoor and outdoor lenses.

Potential Drawbacks

Transition lenses fit many routines, but a few details are still worth knowing:

  • They often stay clear inside a car because the windshield blocks UV rays.
  • They adjust more slowly in cold weather, so a winter walk in White Rock might mean that you need to wait before they darken fully.
  • Most transition lenses don’t include polarization, so they may not cut down on glare in the same way that polarized sunglasses can.

For driving and water sports, a dedicated pair of sunglasses can still be a good companion. Our team can talk through whether polarized lenses are the right choice for your lifestyle.

Hand holding tortoiseshell eyeglasses up near a window, with a chair and plants in the room behind.

Colour, Style, & Frame Options in Surrey

Lens Colours & Tints

Transition lenses come in grey, brown, and green. Grey keeps colours looking natural, while brown adds warmth and green offers a balanced field of view.

Designer Frames That Fit Your Style

The right frames should feel like you. At West Coast Optical, we carry brands like Ray-Ban, Oakley, and Prada, with styles and colours to flatter different face shapes.

An eyewear stylist can help you find frames that work for both the school run and a night out, so your transition lenses look as good as they feel. Browse the designer sunglasses collection if you want a second pair for the road.

Who Should Consider Transition Lenses

Transition lenses work for a wide range of people. Adults, seniors, and children can all wear them, since one pair handles both indoor and outdoor light.

If bright light makes you squint or your eyes feel sensitive, transition lenses can help you stay comfortable as you move between spaces. They also pair well with progressive lens prescriptions, so that you can read up close and see far away while your lenses adjust.

Sports safety eyewear and contact lens fittings in Surrey round out your options. Our team can help you choose lenses that work for you.

Find Your Next Pair at West Coast Optical

Transition lenses give you clear vision indoors while also protecting your eyes from UV light. They’re a practical fit for families juggling busy schedules in Surrey, Langley, and White Rock.

Book an eye exam with our team at West Coast Optical to explore transition lenses, designer frames, and lens options that match your life. Our team is ready to help you and your family see clearly and feel at ease.

Stylish Frames,
Personalized Care

We’ve been helping families find their perfect pair for generations. Whether you’re choosing your very first frames or coming in for your tenth pair, we’re here to make sure you see clearly and feel great doing it.

With frames from Ray-Ban, Etnia Barcelona, Maui Jim and more, there’s something for everyone. Our licensed opticians take the time to understand your needs, so you leave with lenses that suit your lifestyle and frames that fit just right.

Stop by our Surrey location and experience eyewear that puts people first.

Brands We Carry

Come Visit Us in Surrey

Find us right on the Fraser Highway near the Surrey/Langley border, one block from Willowbrook Shopping Centre in Langley! We have plenty of available parking directly in front of the practice.

Our Address

  • 102B 19475 Fraser Hwy
  • Surrey, BC V3S 6K7

Contact Information

Summer Hours: Closed Mondays through August until Labour Day weekend. Regular 6-day-a-week hours resume on September 14th.

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