Fitness
Best Transition Lenses for Active Outdoorsmen | Men’s Journal
This article was produced in partnership with Transitions
Skiing? Fishing? Hiking? It’s not fun—or healthy—to perpetually squint against glaring sunlight. The fix? Get your hands on Transitions® XTRActive® Polarized
The latest generation of Transitions® XTRActive® lenses feature a polarized lens option, which implements best-in-class technology from years of research and development in photochromics and polarization. These lenses are clear (with a slight tint) indoors and automatically darken AND polarize to adapt to changing light conditions outdoors. And, if you’re frequently in bright light (hello, beach season) or are very sensitive to light (take the Transitions® online quiz to help assess your level of light sensitivity), then consider Transition XTRActive Polarized lenses in your next pair of glasses.
How does bright light impact my vision?
Very bright and intense sunlight outdoors can often lead to eye fatigue and it’s believed that cumulative exposure to this bright sunlight could potentially impact the long-term health of our eyes1. In fact, 38% of US eyeglass wearers say they have spent more time outdoors and 54% of those wearers have experienced issues including headaches, watery eyes, difficulty seeing well in bright sun and eye strain2.
Another issue related to bright outdoor light is reflective glare. Glare not only makes things hard to see but it can distort the true color of objects, especially in humid or polluted environments. (translation: your lakefront lunch by the bonfire won’t be as epic a sight to behold thanks to the sun reflecting off the water.
In a survey conducted on behalf of Transitions Optical, 7 in 10 eyeglass wearers say protecting their eyes is more important than ever before3. We wholeheartedly agree, and think exposure to intense lights and glare can actually keep you from seeing all there is to see in the world around you.
Yeah, I’ve noticed. What can I do?
Thankfully, Transitions XTRActive Polarized lenses can help. This polarized photochromic lens is an industry first, designed for wearers who are frequently exposed to bright light and reflective glare like the kind that comes from water, snow, sand, car windows, and buildings.
When fully activated, Transitions XTRActive Polarized lenses reduce glare, so colors retain their true appearance. The polarization properties of Transitions XTRActive Polarized lenses not only help deliver more vivid colors but they help improve visibility up to 33 percent more than non-polarized sun lenses4.
Transitions XTRActive lenses are a must-have for those who lead an active lifestyle. Because these light intelligent lenses automatically darken to adapt to different lighting situations, they are perfect for when you’re on the go and headed from your desk to the great outdoors – all while delivering comfort and helping defend against intense lights, according to real eyeglasses wearers.
Wearers—from fishermen to dogsledders—will appreciate the sharper vision, vivid colors, and larger view outdoors5 delivered by Transitions XTRActive Polarized lenses, which are available exclusively in gray.
So, they offer light protection inside, too?
Even when you go inside – your eyes may be away from the sun, but bright lights don’t disappear. These days, it’s hard to escape them. According to a survey conducted on behalf of Transitions Optical, 60 percent of consumers are spending more time with their digital devices amid the pandemic, and three out of four have experienced issues as a result6.
Luckily, Transitions XTRActive Polarized lenses help filter harmful blue light up to 35 percent when the lenses are clear indoors and 90 percent when they are fully darkened outdoors7. And since the lenses are practically clear and non-polarized when indoors, it doesn’t affect the ability to view a digital screen like a lens that’s always polarized does. What’s more, all Transitions lenses block 100 percent of UVA and UVB rays. In other words, you can rest assured your eyes will feel comfortable and safer from digital devices, harsh office lights, and beaming sun rays when driving or enjoying the great outdoors.
Where can I get my hands on these?
Cumulative exposure, even at moderate intensities, can generate daily eye fatigue and impact the long-term health of your eyes by accelerating aging and/or oxidative damage of the cornea, crystalline lens, and retinal cells.
Seven in 10 eyeglass wearers say protecting their eyes is more important than ever before, according to a survey from Transitions. We wholeheartedly agree, and it can actually keep you from seeing all there is to see in the world around you.
Glare distorts the true color of objects and makes them harder to distinguish because tiny particles within the air can dim colors, giving them a white, yellow, or grey overcast, especially in humid or polluted environments. (translation: your winter lakefront lunch by the bonfire won’t be as epic a sight to behold thanks to the sun reflecting off the snow.)
This is because our eyes are naturally attracted to reflections caused by light, and when our eyes look toward a bright light or reflective glare, visibility is compromised and field of vision is reduced as if there were a white shadow.
A sizable 30 percent of people experience light pollution every day. It can be caused by light coming from different directions, intensities, and sources at the same time (think bothersome intense light and reflective glare caused by ads, signage, buildings, artificial lights, etc.).
Yeah, I’ve noticed. What can I do?
Ready to head into the summer with clear, comfortable vision? As always, talk to your eye care provider about whether Transitions lenses are right for you, and make sure to request genuine Transitions lenses when getting your new pair of glasses.
You can find your nearest eyecare professional here and learn more about the Transitions XTRActive Polarized lenses here. Your best bright-light solution has finally arrived.
Transitions and XTRActive are registered trademarks and Transitions XTRActive Polarized and XTRActive Polarized are trademarks of Transitions Optical, Inc. used under license by Transitions Optical Limited.
1. Yam JC, Kwok AK. Ultraviolet light and ocular diseases. Int Ophthalmol. 2014 Apr;34(2):383-400. Doi: 10.1007/s10792-013-9791-x. Epub 2013 May 31. PMID: 23722672.
2. Transitions Optical, Usage & Attitude Survey, U.S., Q4 2020, Qualtrics, N= 1,003 Eyeglass wearers
3. Transitions Optical, Global Consumer Sentiment and Behavior, Multi-country survey (AR, AU, CO, FR, IT, SG, ZA, UK, US), Q4 2020, People Research, N=6,403/N=700 per country, Eyeglasses wearers agree to say Top2Boxes)
4. EcoOptics Limited – Prof. Nicholas Roberts, Quantitative study evaluating the visual benefits of the polarization properties of lenses, Project 2 WP1 Dec 2020
5. EcoOptics Limited – Prof. Nicholas Roberts, Quantitative study evaluating the visual benefits of the polarization properties of lenses compared to similar non-polarized lenses, 2019/2020
6. Transitions Optical, Global Consumer Sentiment and Behavior, Multi-country survey (AR, AU, CO, FR, IT, SG, ZA, UK, US), Q4 2020, People Research, N=6,403/N=700 per country, Eyeglasses wearers agree to say Top2Boxes)
7. “Based on tests across materials on gray lenses @ 23°C. “Harmful blue light” is calculated between 380nm and 460nm
For access to exclusive gear videos, celebrity interviews, and more, subscribe on YouTube!