Month: April 2019

ARCHIVED POST: Light-Adaptive Contacts! Acuvue Oasys with Transitions Launches April 1!

Contact Lenses with Transitions new to the market. Here background on the technology and what our staff thought when they tried them on

PLEASE NOTE: Transitions contact lenses were discontinued by Johnson and Johnson June 30th, 2024 and are no longer available for consumer purchase.

This is no joke! Contact lenses that darken (tint) with UV exposure are available April 1st through Johnson & Johnson. Branded “Oasys with Transitions” the technology has been in development for ten years. Our manufacturer’s rep thinks photochromic (light changing) contacts are going to be standard in all contacts in the future.

Lens Availability and How it Works

transitions contacts, contacts with transitions, oasys with transitions
Light -> Dark Acuvue Oasys Contact Lenses with Transitions – image courtes of Johnson and Johnson

The initial product launch only covers spherical powers in the two week disposable lens (not for astigmatism or multi-focal wearers… yet, next year potentially). The contacts ability to change colors depends on two things – temperature and UV exposure. The material of the contact contains a special molecule that activates at body temperature (98 degrees) and when exposed to UV light to darken the lens material. The reaction is quick- within a few minutes of UV light exposure the material gets to the darkened state and without the UV light it returns to the lighter state within a few minutes. In the lighter state- there is a residual 15% tint which is intentional. The slight tint helps to block blue light from digital devices. It also reduces overhead light glare and light from oncoming headlights when night driving.

Staff Reviews of Contacts with Transitions

Hannah- I love them! They change pretty quickly when I come inside- much quicker than my transitions lenses in my glasses.

Shelly- I won’t even put drops in my eyes and you think I’ll put those in my eyes? Nope. #teamglasses

April- my eyes are still pretty light sensitive outside- definitely not a replacement for sunglasses for me on a bright day. #teamglasses

James- Not a big fan, but I haven’t worn contacts in 13 years and they just feel weird. #teamglasses

James with Transitions Contacts (left – clear, right – darkened)

Sarah- No thanks- no contacts for me! #teamglasses

Caitlin- I like the feel of them- they were very comfortable. I like being outside and not squinting in bright light, I liked the slight tint inside too. But they’re definitely not a replacement for sunglasses on a bright day- especially because they don’t activate in the car. On my contacts days (since I’m 90% glasses, 10% contacts) these contacts would be my choice.

Interested in more information?

We’d love to talk to you more about the new Contact Lenses with Transitions to see if they might be a good fit into your life. The next step would be to set up a contact lens exam with one of the doctors who can answer specific questions and take necessary measurements to fit these lenses. Here is information about contact lens exams for new prescriptions. Here is a link to schedule an appointment online!