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Transitions® Lenses

Transitions® lenses are the #1 eyecare professional-recommended photochromic lenses worldwide. Transitions® lenses are equipped with patented, photochromic dyes that enable the lenses to rapidly activate or darken when exposed to the sun’s ultraviolet light. The greater the intensity of UV rays, the darker the lenses become. When UV light is no longer present indoors or at night, the lenses fade to their original state.  

We're committed to catering to the diverse needs of our customers by providing a range of Transitions® lenses, both in prescription and non-prescription options. Zenni is proud to be a Transitions® Certified Provider. ​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​Click here for more information about our certified partnership.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

Transitions® Gen S™

Transitions® Gen S™ lenses represent a significant advancement in photochromic lens technology. With faster transition speeds and stylish color options, they offer unparalleled performance and style. Key features include:​​​​​​​​

  • Clear indoors

  • Darkens up to a category 3 outdoors

  • Fade back speed up to two times faster than the previous generation

  • Consistent true-to-color experiences throughout activation and fade back

  • Blocks at least 32% of blue light indoors and up to 85% outdoors (400-455 nm)

  • Available in Ruby Red (NEW), Gray, Sapphire, Amber, Brown, Amethyst, Graphite Green, and Emerald​​​​​​​​

Please note: Certain colors may only be available for Rush delivery frames. However, you still have the option to choose Standard delivery during checkout.​​​​​​​​​​​​

Transitions® XTRActive® New Generation

Transitions® XTRActive® New Generation lenses offer advanced light adaptive technology with enhanced darkness outdoors and blue light protection indoors, making them an excellent choice for individuals with light sensitivity.​​​​​​​​

  • Clear with a hint of protective tint indoors

  • Darkens to an extra dark category 3 tint outdoors

  • Darkest photochromic lens in the car and the only photochromic lens achieving category 2 levels in the car

  • Darkest photochromic lenses in hot temperatures

  • Blocks at least 45% of blue light indoors and up to 86% outdoors (400-455 nm)

  • Available in Gray and Brown​​​​​​​​​​​​

Transitions® XTRActive® Polarized™

Transitions® XTRActive® Polarized™ lenses combine the benefits of both photochromic and polarized technologies, providing a comprehensive solution for individuals seeking adaptive eyewear that offers protection against UV light, glare reduction, and enhanced visual performance in various lighting conditions.​​​​​​​​

  • Clear with a hint of protective tint indoors

  • Darkens to an extra dark polarized category 3 tint outdoors

  • Darkens to a moderate non-polarized tint in the car

  • Blocks at least 45% of blue light indoors and up to 90% outdoors (400-455 nm)

Frequently Asked Questions

​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​How much do Transitions® lenses cost?  

  • The price of Transitions lenses will vary based on your lens customization options selected during the order process. To explore the full range of lens options and pricing that best suits your needs, you can begin the lens selection for any frame to see the subtotal before adding it to your cart or placing an order.

​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​How do I know if my insurance covers Transitions® lenses?

  • Lots of insurance providers include coverage for Transitions® lenses in their vision care plans. To discover the savings you might be eligible for, it's a great idea to get in touch with your insurance provider directly.

  • Please keep in mind that Zenni doesn't directly collaborate with any insurance providers. However, some insurers may accept a copy of your invoice for reimbursement. Simply verify with your insurance company. If they do, you can easily print an itemized receipt from the My Orders page.

​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​Why should I choose Transitions®?

  • Transitions lenses are the top-performing photochromic lenses on the market. Transition lenses change more quickly than other photochromic lenses and activate up to a category 3 darkness outdoors. Plus, they pack the value of hassle-free comfort, versatility, and protection. Transition lenses are great if you are looking to make a single purchase because they offer the benefits of clear lenses, sunglasses, and blue light blocking lenses all in one photochromic package. Zenni is proud to offer the best value for Transitions® lenses on the market. For more information about Transitions® lenses, visit https://www.transitions.com/en-us/.

​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​Can I wear Transitions® indoors?

  • Absolutely! Transitions Gen S™ and XTRActive® lenses are crafted to offer seamless wear throughout your day, whether you're indoors or out.

Can I order bifocals or progressives with Transitions®?

  • We provide Transitions in various options, including non-prescription, single vision, standard progressive, and premium progressive lenses. However, please note that Transitions lenses are not available for bifocals and workspace progressives.​​​​​​​​

Can photochromic lenses double as glasses that turn into sunglasses?

  • Absolutely! Photochromic lenses are a marvel of modern eyewear technology. Not only do they function as regular transition eyeglasses, but they also seamlessly darken into sunglasses when exposed to direct sunlight. With these high-tech lenses, you’ll no longer need to switch between prescription glasses and sunglasses. They’ll adjust automatically based on their exposure to UV light.​​​​​

What makes Transitions® Gen S™ different from other Transitions lenses?​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

  • Transitions Gen S lenses are formulated to be ultra-responsive to light and, in most conditions, will darken in seconds outdoors and return to clear indoors very rapidly (around 2 minutes). Please note that temperature can affect the speed of these chemical changes within the lens, with optimal change occurring at 23ºC.

  • Gen S lenses are also the first to feature the new vibrant Ruby Red lens color option, along with seven other stylish lens color choices, all of which return to clear indoors.

Are Transitions® Gen S™ lenses polarized?

  • No, Gen S lenses are not polarized. However, they do achieve Category 3 darkness to ensure your vision comfort in bright outdoor light, along with UV and blue-violet light protection. If you’re looking for polarized lenses, we recommend considering Transitions XTRActive Polarized or Drivewear lenses based on your needs.

    • Transitions XTRActive Polarized lenses become polarized in direct sunlight, making them a great choice for outdoor activities.

Why don't my Transitions® GEN S™ lenses look as vibrant as I saw on the brochure or advertising, especially Amethyst, Sapphire, Emerald, Amber, and Ruby?

  • Those colors are part of the Transitions® GEN S™ family and are specifically designed to meet the high-performance standards of Transitions® GEN S™ lenses. This includes exceptional darkness outdoors, a key feature that remains a top priority for Transitions wearers seeking optimal comfort and protection in sunlight.

  • The apparent color of a lens is highly sensitive to the total amount of light passing through the lens, as colors appear less vivid, the darker they are. When one is wearing the lens, relatively little light passes through the back of the lens since the lens is nearer to a person’s face compared to when it is backlit, against a bright backdrop, or looking through the lens at a light source. As a result, colors may appear less vivid to the observer when being worn. Furthermore, this effect can be exacerbated when one is looking at oneself wearing the lenses in a mirror, as the reflected light from the mirror has to once again pass through the lens on the way to the eye, making the lens appear even darker and less colorful. When the wearer is returning indoors, and the lenses are fading back in a mid-tint state, more of the vibrant colors will be apparent.

  • The colors are also designed not to be too vivid, so they address two possible issues:

  • Prevent strong color distortion for the wearer: Someone looking through the lenses will see what we call the “transmitted color”, where the color of the lens influences the colors they perceive. If the color is too vivid, it could distort how color looks on everything around them and could be rather bothersome to a wearer.

  • Ensure traffic signal recognition: Transitions Optical has also followed global standards (ISO, ANSI, AS/NZS, GB-T, and CEN) for traffic signal recognition, which aim to ensure that while wearing lenses, the traffic signals will be visible in adequate time for an approaching driver to safely and efficiently respond to the signal on roads. If the color is too vivid, skewing the spectrum of colors transmitted, it could be difficult to differentiate the color.

Will temperature affect my Transitions® lenses?

  • The molecules in photochromic technology work by reacting to UV light. However, temperature can affect the molecules’ reaction time. Colder temperatures mean molecules move more slowly, and it will take longer for transition lenses to adapt from dark to clear, even on sunny days. Warmer temperatures mean molecules speed up and become more reactive, meaning a faster fade back from dark to clear. Moving from sun to shade in warmer climates, your lenses will be quicker to detect the diminished UV rays and will lighten in color. Transitions GEN S lenses are more responsive than previous generations: fully clear indoors, darker outdoors, and returning to clear indoors, faster than ever. For more information about Transitions® lenses, visit https://www.transitions.com/en-us/.

How do I get a Transitions® Certificate of Authenticity?

  • If you'd like to obtain a Certificate of Authenticity for your Transitions lenses, please follow the registration steps below:

  • Click on the Registration Link: You'll find two "Register Here" links for Transitions® during checkout, either on the order confirmation page or in your confirmation email.

  • Submit the Form: Complete the registration form as per the provided instructions and submit it.

  • Confirmation and Certificate: Once your registration is processed, you'll receive confirmation along with instructions on how to obtain your Certificate of Authenticity, if applicable.

Click here to learn more about Transitions®.