Rating of the best photochromic lenses for 2022

In the age of computer technology, it is becoming commonplace to meet a person with poor eyesight. In order to improve it, you can use different methods - to have an operation, wear lenses or glasses. Despite the fact that contact lenses do not spoil the appearance of the face, their use creates some inconvenience for a person - after a while, the eyes begin to become inflamed and irritated, redden. Yes, and wearing them is inconvenient - all manipulations must be carried out with clean hands and in the presence of a mirror, which is not always possible to provide.

Many people prefer to wear classic glasses. Like other medical products, they are also constantly being improved, and one of these improvements has been the use of photochromic optics. This technology has been known since 1964, and every year it improves more and more. The lenses of chameleon glasses have the ability to change the amount of light transmission depending on the illumination.Outwardly, it looks like this: when bright light hits them, they darken and reduce the number of rays that penetrate to the eyes, and when they enter a dark room, transparency increases.

In this article, we will tell you how to choose glasses with photochromic optics, what to look for in order not to make mistakes when choosing, and also make a rating of high-quality and popular optics models from the best manufacturers.

Benefits of chameleon glasses

• No need to buy two accessories - they can replace both eyeglasses and sunglasses.
• Adaptability - depending on the weather conditions, the degree of transparency of the optics changes, so that the eyes are comfortable in any weather, while UV protection is always at a decent level.
• A large number of design types, a variety of designs allow you to choose an accessory depending on the preferences of the buyer.
• They can be used not only by healthy people, but also by those who have various visual impairments.

Disadvantages of chameleon glasses

It should be noted right away that all the shortcomings that will be listed below apply only to products that are made using outdated technologies. Currently, most of them are irrelevant, the only drawback of such accessories is the high unit price. Flaws:

• Long time to change the light mode.
• Difficulties when working in conditions of high ambient temperature.
• Unequal dimming in different areas, especially cheap products.
• Inaccessibility to wear while driving, because the glass of the car does not transmit ultraviolet rays.
• A small number of colors - most often, models with green and brown shades are found on sale.

When choosing photochromic optics, a consultation with an optometrist is required.

What to look for when choosing a chameleon

The main criteria for choosing glasses with photochromic optics are:

• Manufacturing material. Optics are made of glass or plastic, each of these materials has a certain set of characteristics. Glass is more affordable and has a longer service life, while it has limited functionality - it is afraid of mechanical impacts (breaks from impacts with a solid body), has more weight than a plastic counterpart, darkens unevenly, has a longer darkening period, certain difficulties may arise when choosing a frame because not everyone will fit. Plastic products are distinguished by their low weight, resistance to mechanical stress (it is difficult to break, which is why they are often purchased by children), uniform darkening, and are suitable for any type of frame.Among the shortcomings, one can single out the fact that high-quality models are more expensive in price than glass ones, with a careless attitude they scratch faster, and are short-lived.
• The degree and rate of change in light transmission. Transparency (the ability to let the sun's rays through) is determined by an indicator called the minimum degree of dimming. There are three categories - completely transparent (0%), with an average degree of tinting (2-5%), highly tinted (6% or more). The maximum darkening degree indicates how dark the optics can become. There are two categories - up to 50% - slightly darkened, 50% or more - highly darkened. The change in light transmission depends on the quality and manufacturing technology - the more modern the model, the faster it darkens. The speed of color change ranges from 1 to 5-6 minutes.
• Use when necessary to correct vision. Models are both with the presence of such a function, and without it.
• The quality of UV protection. Not all models have a UV protection function. When buying, it is recommended to pay attention to the characteristics of the glasses, the level of protection is expressed as a percentage, the best value is 100%. Some models are not able to completely protect the eyes from harmful radiation, and therefore, they are only suitable for short-term wear in sunny weather.
• A method for determining the required degree of dimming. There are 2 main technologies. The first reacts to the physical presence of ultraviolet rays on the surface of the lenses. Accessories made using this technique will not suit drivers, because due to the fact that the windshield retains UV rays, the optics are not darkened.The second, advanced technology, evaluates the length of the beam, and is able to respond to ultraviolet even without it physically hitting the glass. It is these accessories that are necessary for comfortable driving for those who spend a lot of time behind the wheel of a car.
• Scope of application. According to the recommendations of ophthalmologists, before buying it is worth evaluating why you need chameleons. If you plan to spend most of the time indoors, you need to choose models that have maximum transparency. Drivers, as mentioned earlier, should choose glasses that "see" the UV inside the car. For those who are engaged in various outdoor activities (athletes), you need to choose models with a high color change rate. For people who are most of the time on the street, you need to choose chameleons with maximum darkness.

Rating of popular models of photochromic lenses

Price category up to 5,000 rubles

When buying a product in this price category, it should be borne in mind that the quality of the optics will not be at the highest level, but it is capable of performing basic functions.

BBGR Transitions VII Signature

The country of manufacture of the product is France. This is the seventh generation of optics, which has been developed taking into account all the features of the operation of its predecessors. The main drawback of the previous model has been eliminated - at high ambient temperatures, the photochromic technology practically did not work, the color change was slow. The model is designed for everyday wear, and has a wide range of colors.

According to buyers, both darkening and brightening properties are well combined in the product - glasses become completely transparent indoors, and dark enough in the street to protect the eyes from bright colors. According to customer reviews, glasses with chameleons of this manufacturer can be used not only in the office (transparency up to 5%), but also when driving a vehicle - visibility is not limited, and when exposed to sunlight, the degree of shading corresponds to the third category of sunglasses.

The manufacturer claims that modern technology was used in the manufacture, which includes 8 different pigments, which include a large number of molecules that provide color change. You can choose from 18 colors, not only standard shades, but also individual ones. The average price of a product is 3,000 rubles.

• budget price;
• completely transparent indoors;
• many coating colors to choose from;
• respond quickly to changes in lighting.

• with careless use, small scratches appear on the surface.

Shamir Altolite 1.5 Transitions XTRActive Gray HMC

Country of origin - Israel. The product is made of a polymer material, which has a number of advantages compared to glass counterparts - light weight, elasticity (due to which it can be used in any frames), etc. Compared to competitors, this model has the ability to darken even when used in a car, which is important for drivers.This possibility is realized thanks to the use of a special coating that reacts to ultrashort light rays.

According to the manufacturer, its optics are the darkest in the world, since in bright sunlight the degree of dimming is 90% (despite loud statements, it should be noted that this figure is achieved only at an ambient temperature of no more than 23 degrees, and with increased readings - the maximum value is 80%). The minimum value indoors is 12%, which is why some customers complain about poor visibility. Darkness inside the car does not exceed 50%.

First of all, this product is intended for those who spend a lot of time outdoors and seek to protect their eyesight from solar activity. These are the best lenses with UV protection - the degree of protection is 100%. The product is sold only in gray color, the choice of other colors is not available. The surface of the product is coated with a hardening composition that prevents the appearance of small scratches. A product with diopters is intended for those who need to correct their vision - most often it is prescribed for people with myopia and hypermetropia. The product is intended for use with rimless spectacles and is not recommended for use with rimless or rimless frames. The average price of a product is 4,200 rubles.

• the highest dimming options;
• suitable for drivers
• optics are inexpensive;
• buyers do not have difficulties with where to buy a model - it can be ordered online at any specialized online store;
• high degree of protection against UV rays;
• There is a protective coating against damage.

• only suitable for rim frames;
• low transparency in the room;
• offered in one color only.

Rodenstock Perfalit 1.54 ColorMatic

The country of production is Germany. Like the products of other competitors, this product is made of polymer material. The product is a good value for money. Compared to competitors made of glass, the opacity is even throughout the lens. There are two colors to choose from - warm (brown) and cold (gray). The first is distinguished by high contrast, and the second by the realism of colors. Gradation of light transmission - from 8% to 85% (when the ambient temperature is above 23 degrees, the value decreases). The product with an anti-reflective coating is designed for indoor use, with a multifunctional (hydrophobic, antistatic, dust and dirt protection) - provides protection from external influences.

According to the manufacturer, this model is the fastest among competitors in terms of the speed of light transmission change (contrast changes within 10-15 seconds). Suitable for use by drivers, it protects against glare from the headlights of oncoming vehicles. Can be worn while working with a computer. Recommended for installation in screw and wood frames. The refractive index is 1.54, which is why the model is thicker than some competitors. The average price of a product is 3,300 rubles.

• fast color change
• high-quality coverage;
• 100% UV protection;
• the optics in the room becomes completely transparent;
• low cost.

• a small range of diopters (from -6 to +4).

Price category from 5,000 to 10,000 rubles

Nikon Transitions

A well-known manufacturer of goods for photography presented a novelty in the field of optics for health. The country of origin of the goods is Japan. The lenses are designed for everyday wear. As in the model that occupies the top of the rating in the price category up to 5,000 rubles, Chromea 7 technology is used here, in which the optics coating consists of 8 pigments that change color when exposed to sunlight.

According to the manufacturer, the model 100% protects the eyes from sunlight. Due to the low darkness threshold, the optics become completely transparent indoors. There are three colors to choose from - brown (for those who need maximum contrast), gray-green (best color reproduction) and gray (realistic colors). According to research conducted by the manufacturer, the majority of buyers (90%) who once bought optics buy them again. The product with diopters is intended only for those who have vision problems, it is not recommended for healthy people to buy such a product. The average price of a product is 7,500 rubles.

• transparent indoors and dark outdoors (protect eyes from ultraviolet radiation by 100%);
• quality technology;
• a large number of positive customer reviews;
• react not only to direct light, but also to side light.

• small selection of colors.

Carl Zeiss 1.6 AS PhotoFusion

The review continues with another German-made product, which is an aspherical lens.According to customer reviews, the dimming of this optics occurs quickly, within a few seconds. Enlightenment is carried out more slowly, within a few minutes. The speed of enlightenment depends on how much they were darkened. The range of light transmission ranges from 9% to 23%. The refractive index of the rays is 1.6, which indicates a small thickness of the optics.

The product is intended for use in glasses without a rim or with a fishing line. This feature is due to the material of manufacture of the goods, which has a high plasticity. The popularity of the models of this manufacturer is due to the high quality that is also present in this product - users note wear resistance, resistance to mechanical damage. The aspherical shape avoids the distortion of the picture, which is present in most standard glasses. Anti-reflective polymer coating technology ensures a comfortable wearing experience in any environment. In the manufacture of the product, a technology was used that provides an oleophobic and hydrophobic function, so that glasses do not require special care in operation.

There are two colors to choose from - brown and grey. The first provides high contrast, and the second - natural color reproduction. Chameleons provide 100% UV protection. The product is made in three different diameters - 65, 70, 75. As buyers note, even with a high diopter value, the optics have an attractive appearance. The polymer itself is manufactured using modern technology, which allows you to form a product 25% thinner than analogues with comparable parameters.The average price of the goods is 7,500 rubles.

• multifunctional coating that provides protection against dust, moisture, mechanical damage;
• no distorting effect at the edges of the lens;
• oleophobic coating prevents the formation of greasy fingerprints on the optics;
• chameleons are thin compared to their counterparts;
• a large number of positive customer reviews;
• smooth transition between light levels.

• a small number of colors to choose from;
• according to the advice of buyers, it is worth taking care of buying such chameleons in advance, since in most stores they are sold only on order.

Price category over 10,000 rubles

Seiko CURVED X 1.67 Transitions BC6/BC4

This product of a well-known Japanese brand is made using a technology that allows the plastic compound to be bent in such a way as to eliminate poor visibility at the edges and provide a natural view. The product is intended for installation in frames that have a non-standard shape and are characterized by a high base curvature. Can also be used with sports glasses.

Unlike previous models, a large number of parameters can be configured in this lens on order: base material, coating type, polarization, color. The standard coating consists of 16 layers, each of which performs its own function - protection against mechanical stress, brightening, dust and dirt protection, antistatic, polarization properties. At the request of the client, it is possible to apply a mirror coating, which makes the surface opaque. There are 5 colors to choose from - gold, silver, blue, green, red.

There are also 2 branded finishes: Seiko SRC and SRB.The first is distinguished by increased strength and antistatic characteristics - according to the advice of optometrists, it will suit those buyers who handle glasses carelessly (scratches do not appear even when worn without a case). The second coating blocks the blue light that comes from gadget screens. It is suitable for those who, by the nature of their activities, spend a lot of time at a computer, mobile phone or tablet.

In the case of custom lenses, some parameters can be selected depending on the preferences of the client - the use of an additional coating, adjusting the diameter of the product, changing the thickness, reducing the prism, manufacturing in a certain style, etc. Lenses can be monofocal and bifocal. The average unit price is 17,700 rubles.

• individual production according to the required parameters;
• high quality materials;
• a large number of positive customer reviews.

• many buyers complain about how much the product costs - for 2 lenses you will have to pay more than 30,000 rubles;
• long production time (up to 20 working days).

HOYA DriveWear Hi-Vision Aqua 1.5

As the name of the product suggests, its main purpose is for use by drivers, and therefore, it has a distinctive ability to respond to sunlight, despite the protective properties of the windshield. Chameleons have a polarizing coating, which has shown itself well not only in sunny, but also in cloudy weather.

The development of the Japanese company was awarded a large number of various awards and prizes, which is associated with a set of characteristics that combine not only an attractive design, but also high-quality materials, durability and ease of use. Japanese quality, honed by more than fifty years of history, is noted not only by ophthalmologists, but also by buyers of these products.

Brand products are manufactured at the factory in full cycle mode, which allows achieving high performance. The range of offered diopters is from -8 to +6. There are three diameters to choose from - 65, 69, 71. To ensure resistance to external factors, a coating is applied that has a water-repellent, anti-reflective, anti-reflective effect. At the request of the buyer, its type can be selected individually from a large list of items. Users note the comfort to the eyes, stylish design and the soft greenish color of the lenses indoors. The initial shade is green-yellow, with a change in lighting it turns into a dark brown. The average price of a product is 14,500 rubles.

• attractive appearance;
• a wide range of coatings;
• belong to the category of branded lenses;
• Can be used while driving.

• high price;
• not transparent indoors, which some users don't like;
• hard to find in stock stores.

Younger Optics Drivewear Polycarbonate UV

The review continues with another representative of chameleons for drivers, this time of American production.According to the description on the manufacturer's website, the dimming of the lenses occurs in three stages - in low light, in cloudy weather they become yellow-green and retain 65% of the light, in a car in sunny weather they are copper-colored (retain 78% of the rays), in bright sun - brown (88%).

The product is intended for installation in a rim frame, has a spherical shape, and is made of polycarbonate. Lenses in the room do not become completely transparent, but the greenish tint allows you to enhance the contrast of the environment. 100% UV protected. The product is made by combining two progressive technologies - Transitions and polarization. Thanks to this, the user's eyes are protected not only from the bright sun, but also from the glare of the headlights of oncoming cars. It is not recommended to use chameleons at night, because they can behave unpredictably with a sharp change in light.

Ophthalmologists recommend these lenses not only because they perform well in any weather outside, but also because the product is made of polycarbonate, which has high impact resistance, lighter weight, plasticity and attractive appearance. The following diameters are offered to choose from - 55, 65, 70, 72. The range of diopters is from - 08 to 4. The average price of the goods is 10,500 rubles.

• attractive appearance;
• can be used while driving a car;
• rapid change in darkness;
• modern technologies were used in the production.

• high price;
• Suitable for bezel frames only.

Conclusion

When choosing which brand of chameleon lenses to buy, it is worth considering not only the cost of the product, but also considering the conditions under which you will wear glasses, what characteristics are most important to you. When choosing, it is recommended to rely not only on the opinion of a sales assistant, but also to get advice from an ophthalmologist, and also take into account your own preferences so that glasses do not interfere with everyday life, but improve it. We hope that our review will help you make the right choice!