If in the world of make-up and beauty we have now learned the concept of a multifunctional product, for many it is something completely new in the eyewear sector. In reality, however, lenses that darken in the sun, also known as photochromic lenses, are nothing new … just think that their debut dates back to the 60s when, through some experiments, it was possible to trigger chemical processes that caused the color to change to lenses.
Today photochromic lenses are widespread and are appreciated for their ability to progressively darken according to the intensity of the light and then lighten automatically when the environments get darker.
How self-tinting lenses work
But how do they work? The darkening process of the lenses takes place through ophthalmic models which therefore have a real chemical reaction in contact with sunlight.
If the first experiments brought this technology to light in the 1960s, it was above all in the 1980s and 1990s that the process began to be applied to synthetic and unbreakable lenses so that they could be easily mounted on the glasses in use.
Imagine having sunglasses which, by themselves capable of modulating the intensity of the light received by darkening or lightening, will ensure that your gaze remains rested and concentrated, for example if you work outdoors or play sports, or simply if you travel a lot.
Self-tinting lenses are recommended for those who want to protect their eyes or suffer from sensitivity to light but also for those who have a work or daily activity that rapidly alternates indoor and outdoor environments. Among the advantages that can be highlighted in photochromic glasses we find the progressiveness, comfort and improvement of vision.
Eyeglasses and sunglasses together: what you need to know before buying them
There are some things you should know before buying a model of glasses with photochromic lenses, i.e. those frames with both prescription and sun lenses together. First it’s important that you know that they don’t work in cars; most of the UV rays are in fact absorbed by the windscreen and this blocks the reaction that would activate the mechanism.
You must also know that photochromic lenses do not actually replace sunglasses; they can certainly help you manage the light but they do not replace a model designed specifically for the sun.
A curiosity is that instead these models protect from UV rays even when you are not directly exposed to the rays, for example in the shade while still offering 100% protection.
You may not know it but photochromic lenses are almost totally transparent, which is why they can also be used indoors or at night.