Driving with photo-chromatic transition lenses.

[otherclive]

Following on from the recent “ Good or Bad” thread on driver sight testing I had my annual eye test yesterday. Overall nothing had changed in my prescription so new lenses aren’t required. The OCT scan showed no change in a very early cataract, and did pick up initial signs of Macular Degeneration, although the optician was at pains to emphasise that it wasn’t concern. His advice was to carry on eating the broccoli, spinach, kale and other foods that support eye health. The other recommendation was to consider transition lenses for daily use. I had transitions lenses years ago when they were in their early days. They never cleared fully even indoors, and walking into a pub it seemed to take hours before they cleared enough to spot the bar!!

However since then things have moved on a lot. I use polarised sun glasses for driving although my prescription is three years old so recently I’ve used polarised clip ons over my normal clear varifocals. I’m seriously considering transition polarised varifocals that transition in the car as my everyday glasses. At night the lenses are virtually clear so no concerns in that direction. My main concern relates to day time driving especially when going from sunny road into a tree shaded section, or through a tunnel. With my clip ons I can just flip them up.. With either normal sunglasses or transitions I would have to just look over or under them, something I’d prefer not to do, although my normal unaided vision is only just below the legal limit.

Do any members drive with transitions, any feedback on good or bad points would be appreciated. Thanks

 

[Sam Vimes]

My optician appointment is on Friday.

Currently I have varifocals that are also photo reactive, if that's the term. They darken down when the light is bright. I've had them for a couple of years now and have got to the point where I dislike the reaction aspect and will be asking for plain glass, still varifocal, this time around.

When driving they don't darken enough in the car and don't reduce glare, especially reflections on the windscreen.

Outside they darken considerably but are a pain when you walk inside somewhere because they're too dark to see things and take ages to clear.

They also seem to have a permanent tint to them now.

I have a pair of Polaroid over glasses and these are great, so that's why I'm going for non- reactive glasses this time.

 

[RogerL]

Following on from the recent “ Good or Bad” thread on driver sight testing I had my annual eye test yesterday. Overall nothing had changed in my prescription so new lenses aren’t required. The OCT scan showed no change in a very early cataract, and did pick up initial signs of Macular Degeneration, although the optician was at pains to emphasise that it wasn’t concern. His advice was to carry on eating the broccoli, spinach, kale and other foods that support eye health. The other recommendation was to consider transition lenses for daily use. I had transitions lenses years ago when they were in their early days. They never cleared fully even indoors, and walking into a pub it seemed to take hours before they cleared enough to spot the bar!!

However since then things have moved on a lot. I use polarised sun glasses for driving although my prescription is three years old so recently I’ve used polarised clip ons over my normal clear varifocals. I’m seriously considering transition polarised varifocals that transition in the car as my everyday glasses. At night the lenses are virtually clear so no concerns in that direction. My main concern relates to day time driving especially when going from sunny road into a tree shaded section, or through a tunnel. With my clip ons I can just flip them up.. With either normal sunglasses or transitions I would have to just look over or under them, something I’d prefer not to do, although my normal unaided vision is only just below the legal limit.

Do any members drive with transitions, any feedback on good or bad points would be appreciated. Thanks

I understood that polarised lenses at night were a big no-no as some car lighting is also polarised and might result in not seeing an oncoming car.

 

[birdman101]

I have the full works lenses for driving. Varifocals,Wide angle, Transitionals and Anti. glare. Thinned down lens The Anti glare reduce the dazzle from oncoming LED headlights at night.

 

[Hutch]

My glasses are the same as Birdmans, the full works, whilst driving I don't notice any real darkening, they do have a "green "tint which works well in the car for sunshine.
When using them on my motorbike I have to be careful when riding in and out of shade, or riding into tunnels, but in that case I pull down my sun visor prior then raise it again when in shade and my glasses are clear.

 

[GUMPY]

I also have the full works except my distance prescription is 0.95 so no difference with or without.
Its UV light that makes my glasses darken.
Most car windscreens remove much of the UV so the glasses don't get as dark as they do outside.

 

[Jcloughie]

Like Birdman, I have the all singing and dancing varifocal thin transition lenses. And though they are a little slow to adapt, I do not find that to be a problem. They don’t darken as much as I would like in the car, but that is to do with the windscreen built in UV protection.

There are different transition systems, mine are whatever Boots use.

Overall, very happy with them.

My prescription and diagnosis is almost word for word that of OC’s

John

 

[otherclive]

I understood that polarised lenses at night were a big no-no as some car lighting is also polarised and might result in not seeing an oncoming car.

Transitions polarised do not polarise to any great extent inside the car in daytime as the windscreen blocks UV light and at night the polarising wavelengths are not present. They come into their own when outdoors.

 

[RogerL]

Transitions polarised do not polarise inside the car as the windscreen blocks UV light and at night the polarising wavelengths are not present.

I don't understand - UV isn't the only form of light that can be polarised and polarisation can occur at night - also the windscreen doesn't completely block UV, merely reduces it.

 

[otherclive]

I don't understand - UV isn't the only form of light that can be polarised and polarisation can occur at night - also the windscreen doesn't completely block UV, merely reduces it.

It is the UV and some wider frequencies that polarise the Transitions lenses. Unlike normal Polaroid lenses Transitions are dynamic polarisation. The Transitions website confirms that the polarisation doesn't occur even in daylight within the car as the windscreen plus windows effectively reduce its effect to minimal. But they do darken within the car but not to the level of normal sunglasses. Polarisation does fully occur when outside of the car. So if its effects are minimal even in daylight I would think that at nighttime its would be minimal and not noticeable. whereas an anti glare coating will have benefits, both at night and in daytime.

Transitions XTRActive Polarized

Transitions XTRActive Polarized

www.transitions.com

 

[otherclive]

Thanks to all for the replies. I have decided to go with the Transitions Gen S as they are more suited for my everyday usage and are clear and are the faster reacting of the Transitions range. So whilst driving I expect them to be clear, in which case I can use my clip on Polaroids, or just revert to my normal glasses with the clip ons.

 

[borderbilly]

Can you get the wee roon ones like john lennon 🤔

 

[otherclive]

Can you get the wee roon ones like john lennon 🤔

Yes, and Top Gun Raybans too.

 

[Sam Vimes]

I understood that polarised lenses at night were a big no-no as some car lighting is also polarised and might result in not seeing an oncoming car.

When I used the term Polarised I was really referring to sunglasses of that type, which I wouldn't wear at night unless wanting to look cool or stupid.

I have tried clip on sunglasses but found the over glasses to be much better at providing all round cover.

One disadvantage of polarised glasses is that some phones or sat navs or other displays can be hard to read as you can see stress lines appearing and rainbow colours.

 

[otherclive]

When I used the term Polarised I was really referring to sunglasses of that type, which I wouldn't wear at night unless wanting to look cool or stupid.

I have tried clip on sunglasses but found the over glasses to be much better at providing all round cover.

One disadvantage of polarised glasses is that some phones or sat navs or other displays can be hard to read as you can see stress lines appearing and rainbow colours.

The problem I’d have with over glasses is that not having ears like cab doors I’d find it difficult to fit prescription glasses, over glasses and BTE hearing aids in the same space. 😂

 

[Sam Vimes]

The over glasses I have fit well and I don't need the hearing aids in car...just occasional use.

 

[Buckman]

I have been interested in transitional specs due to headlights blinding me during the day time never mind at night!

 

[Hutch]

I have been interested in transitional specs due to headlights blinding me during the day time never mind at night!

I think you will find that the transmission glasses, will not help with that as they hardly go dark in the car.

 

[otherclive]

Well I purchased some new lenses online from Lensology. I sent them a recent pair l of Specsavers varifocals for reglazing. From those specs they could determine the pupil distance, otherwise it would be self measurement, send in a photo, or use an App if your smartphone can run it. I had ultra thin varifocal with the normal surface protections, plus the varifocal lenses were the Generation S transition by Essilor. These were the basic transitions that don't go dark inside the car which is what I required as they are mainly for outdoor usage, but they change the quickest when going indoors. Must say the service was good and price well below Boots/Specsavers. I tried them on today when fetching the pooch back from kennels and it was bright but low autumn sun. They were excellent in all respects, so very pleased with the purchase.

 

[Sam Vimes]

I've never heard of Lensology and I'm glad it seems to have worked out for you. I took a quick look at their website.

I'm a little reluctant to go that route or use anything other than our trusted Optometrist. Probably as a bad experience with Specsavers and the prospect of dealing at a distance if problems arise is not something I really want.

I collect my new glasses this week. Varifocals with Antiglare, Antiscratch ( they need armour plating the way I use them), No transition and Zeiss lenses. These will give me - hopefully - good peripheral vision like my current glasses as its something I'm acutely aware of.

Titanium frames, exactly the same as my current ones, plus the Zeiss lenses - £450. Hard to tell how this would compare with Lensology.

 

[otherclive]

I've never heard of Lensology and I'm glad it seems to have worked out for you. I took a quick look at their website.

I'm a little reluctant to go that route or use anything other than our trusted Optometrist. Probably as a bad experience with Specsavers and the prospect of dealing at a distance if problems arise is not something I really want.

I collect my new glasses this week. Varifocals with Antiglare, Antiscratch ( they need armour plating the way I use them), No transition and Zeiss lenses. These will give me - hopefully - good peripheral vision like my current glasses as its something I'm acutely aware of.

Titanium frames, exactly the same as my current ones, plus the Zeiss lenses - £450. Hard to tell how this would compare with Lensology.

Mine where the top grade Essilor lenses ultra thin, as like you I want the best peripheral vision and a good reading area too. They had all the coatings, prisms were incorporated for this prescription plus transitions as I want to try and keep the two early cataracts at bay for as long as possible. The new lenses were fitted to a pair of Boots titanium frames that had only been worn for 12 months. All told including 24 hour tracked delivery they cost £261. At one time Boots would reglaze frames but the last time I enquired the cost was higher than new frames. I use Boots as my opticians as our local branches seem more thorough than Specsavers. My first titanium framed early Varilux lenses by Essilor cost me around £250 in 1976, but they were re glazed several times.


PS a pair of pre owned hearing aids next perhaps. 🙈

 

[RogerL]

Mine where the top grade Essilor lenses ultra thin, as like you I want the best peripheral vision and a good reading area too. They had all the coatings, prisms were incorporated for this prescription plus transitions as I want to try and keep the two early cataracts at bay for as long as possible. The new lenses were fitted to a pair of Boots titanium frames that had only been worn for 12 months. All told including 24 hour tracked delivery they cost £261. At one time Boots would reglaze frames but the last time I enquired the cost was higher than new frames. I use Boots as my opticians as our local branches seem more thorough than Specsavers. My first titanium framed early Varilux lenses by Essilor cost me around £250 in 1976, but they were re glazed several times.

There seem to be two schools of thought on cataracts - one is to ignore them for as long as possible - the other is to get them done as soon as possible.

The difficulty with that choice is that the progression of cataracts isn't necessarily linear - some cataracts will never get bad enough to need removing - others can suddenly "ripen" but without any clues about if/when that might happen.

My own cataracts "ripened" very suddenly after many decades of being noted by the optician - so suddenly that my prescription was changing every few weeks with correspondingly frequent new glasses - since they've been done my sight has been brilliant, better than 6/6 (20/20).

My wife's in the middle of having cataracts done, with the 2nd eye due this Sunday - but the cataract replacement is subsidiary to surgery to improve the drainage because of Glaucoma and Uveitis.

 

[otherclive]

There seem to be two schools of thought on cataracts - one is to ignore them for as long as possible - the other is to get them done as soon as possible.

The difficulty with that choice is that the progression of cataracts isn't necessarily linear - some cataracts will never get bad enough to need removing - others can suddenly "ripen" but without any clues about if/when that might happen.

My own cataracts "ripened" very suddenly after many decades of being noted by the optician - so suddenly that my prescription was changing every few weeks with correspondingly frequent new glasses - since they've been done my sight has been brilliant, better than 6/6 (20/20).

My wife's in the middle of having cataracts done, with the 2nd eye due this Sunday - but the cataract replacement is subsidiary to surgery to improve the drainage because of Glaucoma and Uveitis.

At present my cataracts are so slight and slow growing that they cause no perceptible issues with my sight. It was the opticians recommendation that transitions could help.

Hope your wife’s treatment goes well. My wife had two cataracts removed in 2012 and she’s still good in both eyes. It made a tremendous difference to her life.