5 best photochromic lenses

Excessively bright sun can damage the eyes and discourage the whole hunt to go out in clear weather. In case of poor eyesight, it is inconvenient to wear sunglasses, and it is not always possible to wear a special black-out in addition to the usual wallet. But even from such a situation there is a way out - photochromic lenses, or so-called chameleon lenses.

Glasses with such glasses in the room are no different from normal. But it is worth their owner to come to light - as the lenses themselves darken to the required level, protecting the eyes from exposure to ultraviolet rays. All this is due to the special photochromic elements added at the manufacturing stage. They react to sunlight and darken, thereby protecting the user's eyes.

When choosing a photochromic lens, you need to rely on several very important criteria:

1. The degree of darkening (minimum). It is important to pay attention to the minimum parameter that indicates how transparent the lens is in the normal state. The lower the value, the more transparent they are.
2. The degree of darkening (maximum). A parameter that indicates how much a lens can be dark in bright sunshine. The highest value today is 90%. The higher the number, the darker and more expensive the glasses are.
3. Speed ​​reaction. Old lenses were darkened for a very long time, and as many were lightened. Modern materials allow to increase the reaction rate of photochroms to sunlight.
4. Carrying in the car. If these glasses are needed for use in the car, then it is worth clarifying whether they will be darkened in the cabin (that is, whether they react to visible light).
5. Additional coverage. Most manufacturers make glasses by Transitions technology, and add coatings from themselves. These coatings can be different - dirt-resistant, ultra-strong and so on. So you can choose to your taste.

Not only the cost of a single lens, but also the wearing comfort will depend on these parameters. With the right selection it will turn out to find the perfect option. We, in our ranking of the best photochromic lenses, selected the most successful options with reasonable prices. Models are selected according to the most favorable characteristics and reviews of ophthalmologists. Remember: the cost is per unit, not a pair.

TOP 5 best photochromic lenses

5 Cantilen Clear Vision Photo 1.56

Russian monofocal lenses in spherical polymer design. They belong to the budget class of photochromic variants and do not have the quality of more expensive analogues. However, the model is able to protect from sunlight at a decent level, so that it copes with the main function. I am glad that the manufacturer added an excellent Clear Vision coating, which has many functions. In addition to the traditional hardening and dirt-repellent properties, it also protects against electromagnetic waves. Feature - polarizing coating, so now there will be no extra glare and bifurcations in the eyes.

Diopter here is not so much - only from -8 to +6. The cylinder is not provided at all, so the model will not work for astigmatics. The lenses will be relatively thick with large diopters, since the refractive index is only 1.56. Available in two diameters - 65 and 70. You can choose from two standard colors - brown and gray. Interestingly, they do not have blackouts in a calm state — indoors, such photochromic lenses are perfectly transparent. For the same reason, they are not suitable for drivers, although a polarizing coating can improve driving comfort.

4 Rodenstock Perfalit 1.54 ColorMatic

Cheap, but high-quality photochromic lenses made from organic polymer. German quality pleased here. For a reasonable price, you can get good lenses average. Capable of dimming up to 85% in bright light. Indoors, they do not become completely transparent - the residual effect retains approximately 8% of the blackout. The lens is not the thinnest, the refractive index is only 1.54. But the polymer material made it possible to make it thinner than plastic and especially glass analogues.

The range of diopters is frankly small - only from -6 to +4. There are two diameters - 65 and 70 millimeters. Available in two standard colors - brown and gray. The lenses themselves are covered in one of two options: SPP or Duralux. The first is a nanotechnological coating with a variety of functions, from antireflection to stain-resistant and firming. Duralux simply makes the surface more durable and resistant to physical damage. I am glad that the lens reacts quickly to changes in light - it takes several tens of seconds for it to change color.

3 HOYA DriveWear Hi-Vision Aqua 1.5

Japanese quality especially for drivers. These photochromic polymer lenses were created for those who spend a lot of time behind the wheel. They have everything you might need on the road - a high-quality polarizing coating and a sensitive photochromic that can change the degree of darkness in a matter of seconds. The color changes very softly from light yellow-green to deep brown, the maximum darkening is up to 85% outside. In the car, the lenses will be darkened only by 50% to create a comfortable driving environment.

The lens is single-focus, manufacturers provide diopters from -9 to +7.5, but unfortunately the cylinder is not provided. Only one color, green-brown corporate. But there are as many as three options for the coating - HVA (antireflection and mudstone), SHV (durable and antireflection) and HVLL (combination of the two previous ones with increased strength). All three options are slightly greenish (up to 25%) even in the absence of factors for darkening. Taking into account the polymer material lens of moderate thickness - the refractive index of 1.5. An important clarification is that glasses can be used only during the day, they are not suitable for night driving.

2 Essilor 1.59 Airwear Transitions Signature 7 polycarbonate Crizal Alize + UV

The manufacturer tried to make really high-quality and versatile photochromic lenses. And the French did it. It is a durable, thin and lightweight lens that can easily save your eyes from excessive ultraviolet radiation. It is made of high impact polycarbonate, treated with a special coating Crizal Alize + UV. It gives the surface a lot of useful characteristics - it is perfectly smooth and transparent, it is easy to clean it of dirt. An important feature - dust and dirt will not linger on the lens, so that it will have to be cleaned less often.

Specifically, this photochromic spherical model is single-focal, you can purchase options from -12 to +7.75 diopters. In addition, it is easy to pick up a cylinder - from -6 to +5.75. The lens has a refractive index of 1.59 - it cannot be called the thinnest, but it looks quite aesthetic. The choice of the manufacturer provides two shades - gray and brown. In bright light dims up to 88%. But in fact the lenses will have a slight greenishness even in poor light. I am glad that manufacturers have provided the opportunity to use them when working at a computer due to the increased image contrast in the car (even at night).

1 Top Vision ASP 1.67 Transitions XTRActive HMC

Lenses created specifically for active people. In the bright sun darkened by 90%, which is the best indicator compared to all other models. This is a spherical plastic lens with diopters from -10 to +8.75 and a cylinder from -4 to +4. It is single-focal and very thin - the refractive index is only 1.67. There is also a spherical version, but it is noticeably thicker (SP only 1.5). On sale there are two colors - brown and gray.

There is a multifunctional multi-layer coating HMC, which has several properties at once. It eliminates glare, repels moisture and dirt, has antistatic properties and is extremely durable. Manufacturers have taken care that the model can be applied in the car - it is obscured by 50%, so now driving will become noticeably more pleasant even in sunny weather. But it is worth remembering that the initial darkening of such a lens is 11%, so the shade will be visible even indoors.

Popular vote - who is the best producer of photochromic lenses
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Top vision

Essilor

HOYA

Rodenstock

Cantilen

Zeiss

Seiko

Nikon

Other

Total votes: 67

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