Reviewing EVERY Transitions Lens: The Ultimate Showdown

Photochromic lenses, often referred to as adaptive or transition lenses, are a remarkable innovation in the world of eyewear. These lenses undergo a transformation when exposed to ultraviolet (UV) light, adapting to changing light conditions and providing optimal vision whether you're indoors or outdoors. Here, we delve into the differences between three notable variations: Transitions Generation 8, Transitions Xtractive, Transitions Xtractive Polarized and Transitions Drivewear.

This video is NOT sponsored by Transitions
There are many other brands of photochromic lenses but these are some of the most well-known and the ones I have experience with.

Timestamps:
0:00 Transitions Lenses Review
0:57 Transitions Generation 8
2:44 Transitions Xtractive
4:19 Transitions Xtractive Polarized
5:41 Transitions Drivewear
7:01 Final Review and thoughts

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DISCLAIMER: All content in this video and description including: infor­ma­tion, opinions, con­tent, ref­er­ences and links is for infor­ma­tional pur­poses only. The Author does not pro­vide any med­ical advice on the site. Noth­ing con­tained in this video or it’s description is intended to estab­lish a physician-patient rela­tion­ship, to replace the ser­vices of a trained physi­cian or health care pro­fes­sional, or oth­er­wise to be a sub­sti­tute for pro­fes­sional med­ical advice, diag­no­sis, or treatment. You should con­sult a licensed physi­cian or appropriately-credentialed health care worker in your com­mu­nity in all mat­ters relat­ing to your health. Also, some of the links in this post may be affiliate links, meaning, at no cost to you, I will earn a small commission if you click through and make a purchase. All non-licensed clips used for fair use commentary, criticism, and educational purposes.

[stevegibson]

I have been using transition lenses for about 38 years, after one of my early optometrists recommended them for me. In all honesty I don't know which type they were but I have never ever regretted having transitions for the benefits they have. I would certainly recommend transition lens to anyone

[alexisowens]

This is exactly what I was looking for. I had had transitions before, but when I went to order new ones there were so many options. This went though all of the options perfectly and told me exactly what I needed to know. Thank you sm!!

[mitchellkaufman]

Hi Dr. Allan. I enjoyed watching this video in particular because, as an Optician, I dispense Transitions 8 lenses. Greater than 50% of all orders include Transitions. I am also a Certified Specialist. While there are many outstanding attributes, I find there are instances where they don't darken enough to MY satisfaction, and I own every variety. However, those who try them for the first time are always satisfied and repeat customers wouldn't wear anything else.

[DoctorEyeHealth]

Are you a fan of Transitions or other brands of photochromic lenses? Which is your favorite?

[marydarcangelo]

I have the Gen 8 in purple. When I got them I was surprised that the purple color in the sun wasn’t as dark as expected. It is more of a gray with a purple undertone but I still love them.

[Blacksquareable]

I had no idea there were so many! I have polaroids and it's made a significant difference. Mine can get dark indoors and also on a dull day outside which helps as I am quite sensitive to some indoor lights too.

[vancie]

Great video! This was so helpful for me in choosing what would best suit my needs. Your explanations of the features, pros, and cons was so clear

[CJFoxthewhitefoxden]

Thanks for the in depth look at what these lenses are. I"ve had Transition lenses for years and the new ones ( Gen 8) are way better. Not perfect, but very good. Can't wait to see what they do in the next few years.

[DrAndrewDoan]

Over the years, photochromic transition lenses have made significant technological advancements. It is important to emphasize the use of darkened lenses or sunglasses in bright sunlight to help mitigate the progression of cataracts.

[GavinEarnshaw]

Good summary - thanks. I find that Serengeti photochromic lenses are even darker (if a little slower). I used to have G15 Ray-Ban but Serengeti 555nm lenses are green (and change colour filtering as they get darker). I love the restful feeling when I put the Sedonna (magenta/rose). Plus I have wraparound frames. Only problem is that the cost of prescription lenses 😮 so I also have Transitions gen 8 signature and Drivewear in my glasses. I use contacts and can use the Serengeti.
I was a UK driving instructor and on a wet, slightly foggy day made one student try my Serengeti glasses. He said "these are better than my eyes!" 😃He was so amazed at the extra visibility from the blue light reduction.

[monkeytrainer]

Thank you! This video was tremendously helpful. I am looking at these glasses for my daughter, who is in remission from Burkitt-type non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. She is 16, and about to get her learner's permit, so will be driving soon. She really hates the color distortion on the Blokz blue light filtering lenses, so I think she would prefer the Gen 8, because they are perfectly clear indoors. However, I don't know what she's just going to have to get used to, now that she has to really be careful to protect herself following her short but extremely intense cancer treatment this past summer. What lenses would you say offer the maximum protection? Should we just get her a spare pair of polarized prescription sunglasses for when she drives?

[rreddy]

Hi Allen,
😊 Very Happy to Follow your videos as it helps me learn and understand improving my Severe Dry Eye Care for years following your content.
I wanted to ask if you can make content about doing digital work on tabs, laptops or desktops and other alternatives. Which would be an ideal choice to work? And further where should we watch movies whether it's theater screens, tv's, desktops or other sources. Bcoz it's always a challenge to view or work upon content on various mediums of channels. It helps us to save our eye energies better with less eye wear and tear.

Same can be informed about playing sports, swimming, driving and more activities. How to manage them with better practices or avoiding them for Better.
Thanks for yours years of effort on Eye Care and Dry eyes. Please keep Doing More.

[Dandee]

Xtraxctive is my favorite. I've had transitions ever since I started wearing glasses. The xtractive ate great while indoors with bright light especially working on a computer all day on my light-sensitive eyes.

[aidanchen]

Thank you for the break down this has made my next purchase allot more informed.

[TheCowthulu]

The first tip I would have for anyone looking for Translations lenses is first look at Sunglasses that might be displayed with the frames. Not that you are going to buy them but instead to see a few sunglass styles that work for you.

Next look at the frames available for eyeglasses that are close to the sunglass styles you like. Often times sunglass frames are available in an eyeglass frame as well. When you try them on as eyeglasses you can see if you would also like them clear.

Doing this will give you glasses that look natural when they are outdoors but that you also like the look of when it’s indoors. Why a lot of people don’t like transitions lenses is they picked frames that would never look like sunglasses and it just looks wrong when they are outside.

[Dustin_Platt]

The only issue I've had with patients is that the Transition Mirrors is that they will hold their color even with they are clear. For example, if you get the blue mirror Transition, you'll always have a blue hue to the lens.

[UncleCatttt]

So Drivewear is basically the Mexican filter in American movies/TV series.

[HashanGayasri]

Thanks to the comparison between XTRActive and XTRActive polarised.

[Catherine-rhbs]

I read online that all transitions lenses can accept all available coatings. Since you review transitions I’m hoping you know if you can tell me. Can you add a polarization coating to the non- polarized Xtra actives?

[nils-and-kat-devine]

I’ve worn transitions since the 90s, big fan obviously. One downside you didn’t mention about drivewear is that they make it hard to see screens, which is an issue if you use phone or GPS to navigate!

Also, the I got a pair of the “blue” lenses, and I thought they’d made a mistake and given me gray ones for the last couple years until I by compared them side by side with my old glasses. The blue is very subtle.