Photochromic glasses are one of the most widely used types of glasses. Call these whatever you want; transitional, light adaptive, or photochromic lenses, what matters is what they bring to the table. The core specialty of these lenses is that they turn dark once exposed to sunlight.
In this article, we will be addressing everything you need to know about buying photochromic glasses. Firstly, let us start with a brief intro to what photochromic glasses are and how they work.
How Photochromic Lenses Work
Photochromic lenses are known for their ability to darken whenever they are exposed to ultraviolet light rays. Whenever you step outside in the day, even if it is not sunny, your photochromic lenses will turn dark. This happens because they are designed to change their shade when even the smallest ray of UV light penetrates through the lenses. Since UV light also comes through clouds, you’ll find your photochromic lenses turning dark either way.
So, how does this work exactly? Photochromic lenses have molecules that react to even the slightest glimpse of sunlight. This chemical reaction starts once a light ray penetrates the lenses. The silver chloride, which is the main component of photochromic lenses, is the reason behind the magic of this process. This silver molecule borrows a molecule from chloride on the first glimpse of light. This transformation leads to a change of balance, hence making the lenses darker. Newer photochromic lenses have different ways of reacting to sunlight. For example, the latest photochromic glasses also detect sunlight through a car’s windshield.
Pros and Cons of Photochromic Glasses
Photochromic glasses come with a variety of benefits with a few drawbacks as well. You can balance both and find out whether photochromic glasses are your cup of tea or not.
Pros
- Sunglasses + Prescription Glasses. The best part about having photochromic glasses is that they save you from a lot of hassle. You won't have to buy sunglasses separately. Just grab your photochromic lenses and go out even if it's too bright. You're free from carrying two pairs of glasses.
- Safe from Blue Light and UV Light. Furthermore, photochromic lenses also protect you from harmful blue light that emits from screens of digital devices. This eliminates the risk of dangerous common eye diseases such as macular degeneration.
- No Compromise on Style. When you're buying photochromic glasses, you do not have to compromise on style and looks. These lenses come in every frame. You don't have to worry about sacrificing your eyewear choices for protection from sunlight.
Cons
- Often Don’t Work inside Cars. Depending on the quality, sometimes photochromic glasses do not detect sunlight through a car's windshield. Unless you're willing to pay a little extra, you might also face this issue in winters since these lenses' performance is affected by extremely cold temperatures.
Conclusion
With all these advantages, it is fair to conclude that the photochromic glasses are worth the money. Due to obvious reasons, their price might be a bit expensive. Nonetheless, the pros they offer make them a great choice overall.