Social and psychological implications of wearing transition lenses in colder climates

“Transition” lenses is actually only the brand name for a company that manufactures photochromic lenses, but the name “transition lens(es)” has become more or less synonymous with photochromic lenses (like Xerox machine for photocopier):

Transitions are basically a neat thing, there are few technical limitations (e. g. they don’t work well behind windshields in cars and they don’t go as dark as sunglasses when it is extremely hot).

But here is my biggest concern: Transitions darken more when the weather is cold, the process is triggered by UV light, but to a certain extent also by temperature. This can by a good thing in the winter when the sun is shining brightly and there is a lot of snow. But on the other hand, the lenses will be fairly dark, even on an overcast, chilly day in fall or winter. In other words, you will effectively be wearing sunglasses when it isn’t really necessary and you will look like a dork or like a creep.

If you live in Florida, Arizona or Southern Spain, this is not a big deal because (I guess) it’s not uncommon there to see people outside wearing sunglasses in the month of December.

But how do you handle this if you live in the Midwest, Canada, Central Europe or Scandinavia? Are those of you who wear spectacles with transition lenses aware of this problem? Does it bother you?

I do not wear glasses, but it is common to notice someone with darkened transition glasses on a cold day in Canada. It would not be considered at all unusual.

It balances out. They don’t darken as much when in cars with windshields that already block UV light. So you might have to keep a spare pair of real sunglasses handy if you want to look cool in a Greyhound bus.

What is your definition of cold? I’m in Canada. In my locale, -23°C/-10°F is puffy-jacket weather and promises spring. But –23 and sunglasses might be far into creepiness by your definition.

I see no link between temperature and sunglasses dorkiness. It’s safe to say I’m not aware of the problem.

First World Problem.

You answered your question: you look like a dork or a creep. In the winter, my glasses go completely dark in the time I walk from my car into school, maybe 100 feet. When I remember, I put them in my pocket until I’m in the building. When I forget, I look like a tool wearing sunglasses, indoors, in January.

The trade off is worth it though, because they’re convenient as fuck for coaching and driving a convertible.

Oh, I’m in Michigan.

Somebody uploaded this image to a discussion board:

http://s27.postimg.org/pokfhtmxf/darkglasses.jpg

The picture was taken in early March, the weather appears to be somewhat overcast, yet the glasses are completely dark. Wearing sunglasses on such a day would be unusual, IMHO. If I were to wear these glasses as transition lenses, I would feel obliged to explain to everybody I meet on the street: “It’s not what you think. You see, I’m not actually wearing sunglasses, these are transitions.” (followed by a long-winded explanation, intended to convince the other person that I’m not a weirdo).

Just tell them you’re Johnny Depps stand in. Problem solved.

Be more concerned about how they may work for you, than what other people think.

This. There’s still plenty of UV A and B under overcast, especially on snow and sand, when what there is also reflects back.

But transition glasses don’t necessarily mean they block UV if the anti-UV coatings aren’t included.

I wore transitions lenses in Boston, and I remember being annoyed that they didn’t lighten up as quickly as I would have liked.

OTOH, I also wore them in Israel, where it was so hot that the lenses became permanently discolored.

I no longer use transitions, but I still wear sunglasses almost every time I go outside. Even on overcast days, my eyes are sensitive enough to the sun to need them.

I guess it depends on how concerned you are about looking dorky.

Here in Finland wearing sunglasses inside isn’t as big a deal as it seems to be in the US - the only time somebody has told me to take them off the annoyed person was an American. I wear sunglasses inside during summer a fair bit since I use prescription sunglasses and sometimes I don’t have my normal glasses with me at all, and I’m much rather falsely perceived as a creep than actually blind as a bat. So I doubt anybody using transition lenses would have that many issues either. :cool: