Photochromic lenses
Photochromic lenses darken outdoors in ultraviolet light and clear again indoors. They suit people who move between inside and outside often and would rather not carry a second pair.
Changing with the light
Molecules in the lens react to ultraviolet light and darken within a minute or two. Indoors, they fade back over several minutes. Cold weather makes them darker and slower to clear; heat makes them lighter.
In the car
Most windscreens block ultraviolet light, so photochromic lenses darken only a little while you drive. If you want tint behind the wheel, keep a separate pair of sunglasses or look at tinted and polarized lenses for driving.
Choosing a colour
Grey keeps colours closest to natural. Brown and amber add warmth and contrast. The lens step shows the colours offered for each lens type and prescription.
Who they suit
Photochromic lenses work well if you walk, commute or run errands and move in and out of buildings many times a day. They are less useful if you mostly drive, since the windscreen limits the change, or if you want very dark lenses for long days at the beach. Many people keep a dedicated pair of sunglasses for that and wear photochromic lenses every day.
Related guides
Polarized lenses
Cut reflected glare from water and roads.
Lenses for driving
Tint, glare and the windscreen.
Round glasses
An everyday shape for light-adaptive lenses.
Photochromic questions
Are photochromic lenses the same as sunglasses?
They get close outdoors on a sunny day but rarely reach the darkness of dedicated sunglasses, especially in hot weather.
Are photochromic lenses polarized?
No. Darkening and polarization are separate features. If glare from water or wet roads bothers you, choose a polarized lens instead.
Do they stay slightly tinted indoors?
Modern lenses clear to nearly transparent indoors. A faint tint can remain for a few minutes after you come inside.
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