Transitions® GEN S™ Lenses
Reviewed by
Maria Horan FBDO
Have you ever gotten all the way to the grocery store and realised you had forgotten your prescription glasses at home, so you were stuck with wearing your sunglasses inside?
If this sounds like you, Transitions® might be the perfect solution, giving you ease of mind with one less thing to worry about.
What are Transitions® lenses?
Transitions® lenses are photochromic lenses with a premium anti-reflective coating that are completely clear indoors or in low-light scenarios, and automatically adapt and darken with exposure to UV light.
Transitions® lenses and photochromic lenses are essentially the same thing. The main difference is that Transitions® is a brand name and type of photochromic lens manufactured by Transitions Optical Limited.
With the constant evolution of lens technology, these lenses make it possible for one pair of glasses to serve as both prescription glasses and sunglasses, seamlessly adapting to most light conditions, with limited activation in cars.
Known for their rapid response to changes in light, Transitions® offer a versatile and convenient option for glasses wearers, providing adaptive vision correction, visual comfort and UV protection in a single pair of glasses.
DID YOU KNOW?
Transitions® GEN S™ lenses darken to a category 3 level of darkness in only 25 seconds.
How do Transitions® GEN S™ lenses work?
Transitions® GEN S™ lenses contain molecules that undergo a chemical reaction when exposed to UV light, most commonly from sunlight.
Without UV light exposure, like when you’re inside for example, these molecules return to their original state and the lenses are completely clear.
These ultra-dynamic lenses are very responsive and are Transitions® best and most advanced model yet, switching from clear to dark faster than before, providing you with better vision quality.

The strength of the tint of this new photochromic lens depends on the intensity of the UV light.
If it’s a cloudy day, the lenses adjust to the low light conditions and adapt to the level of protection your eyes need. The brighter the sunlight, the darker the lenses will become.
In comparison to previous Transitions® lenses, Transitions® GEN S™ lenses darken to category 3.
This means that in optimal conditions, these lenses can reach a darker tint level in bright sunlight than previous generations, providing more protection against UV light.
How do Transitions® GEN S™ lenses differ from regular lenses?
The main difference between Transitions® GEN S™ lenses and regular prescription lenses is in the adaptive photochromic technology.
These lenses make it possible to combine your everyday prescription lenses with your sunglasses so there’s no need to switch back and forth.
These particular photochromic lenses remain clear in the absence of sunlight, darken to a category 1 when in the car behind the windscreen, and to a category 3 in direct sunlight.
Regular glasses with just vision correction remain clear at all times, requiring a second pair of frames for prescription sunglasses.
What are the main differences between Transitions® GEN S™, Transitions® GEN 8™ and Transitions® XTRActive® new generation?
Transitions® Signature® GEN 8™ lenses are good for those who spend a significant amount of time in front of a digital screen, as they’re specifically designed to filter up to four times more blue light indoors than clear lenses.
If you’re severely light sensitive or looking for high-temperature performance or extra darkness outdoors, Transitions® XTRActive® new generation lenses are the ideal choice for you.
They deliver the best XTRA darkness and the best XTRA light protection, even in the car, and are uniquely designed to protect your eyes from the bright sunlight.
Transitions XTRActive speed when going back to clear in a darker environment is already high, but GEN S is even faster. Just like XTRActive, GEN S darkens to category 3, yet this time within seconds, faster and smoother than GEN 8.
To help you choose, don’t hesitate to ask your optician for guidance; they will help you find the best Transitions® lens based on your needs and your daily habits.
Can Transitions® GEN S™ lenses be paired with any frames?
Yes, just like traditional clear lenses, Transitions® GEN S™ lenses can be paired with any frame of your choosing!
GEN S™ lenses are offered in both brown and grey tints, which gives you numerous possibilities to craft a unique pair of glasses that complements your style and showcases your personality.
The new Transitions® brown and gray lenses, when exposed to UV light, are most similar to traditional sunglasses, giving you the appearance of regular sunglasses with the added benefits and protection of Gen S lenses.
Why choose Transitions® GEN S™ lenses?
Many of the benefits tied to Transitions® GEN S™ lenses provide a dynamic reality with their increased versatility, protection, comfort and convenience in comparison to traditional clear lenses.
The ability of these ultra responsive lenses to automatically adapt to varying light conditions makes them versatile and perfect for those who are constantly shifting light scenarios.
Going from the dim indoor lights to the intense bright lights outdoors frequently has never been so easy.
The fact that these lenses come in different colour tints and can be fitted to most glasses frames adds to their versatility. With all the different lens and frame combinations, they can be tailored to fit any style and personality.
The new Transitions® GEN S™ lenses can reach the dark photochromic category 3, darker than previous versions, which creates a higher level of protection against harmful UV rays from the sun.
This added protection helps to prevent long term eye damage from the negative effects of UV exposure, while greatly reducing discomfort and disability glare.
These lenses adapt perfectly to any light conditions and proper darkening of the lenses creates a more comfortable experience for glasses wearers.
Proper darkening of the lenses also helps to reduce glare and eye strain, improving overall visual comfort in very bright light situations as well as long term eye health.
Last, but not least, Transitions® GEN S™ lenses remove the need for glasses wearers to have two pairs of glasses for different lighting conditions.
As they adjust automatically, these lenses are the most convenient choice as they meet daily visual demands of those who need prescription eyewear.
To know if Transitions® lenses are the right choice for you, it’s advised that you speak with your eye doctor to discuss preferences and what best suits your visual needs.
For more information about Transitions® GEN S™ lenses, feel free to check out our Optical Centre to speak with one of our on-call opticians, who can help you to determine if Transitions® lenses are right for you.