We've all heard of glasses that transition from light to dark when we head outdoors, and some of you may have experienced this by wearing them yourselves. Transition, or photochromic, lenses work by sensing light changes in your environment and changing the lens color to adapt to this light change. Transitions lenses help to decrease unwanted glare due to changing lighting conditions, because two out of every three people report that they're sensitive to light! We've had many patients who love this light adaptive technology in their glasses, yet many patients who absolutely dislike it for various reasons. But what about those of us who prefer to wear contact lenses? 

Johnson and Johnson Vision Care introduced the world to its Acuvue Oasys contact lens back in 2005, and we've never been the same since. With its superior wetting technology, the Acuvue Oasys with Hydraclear Plus technology is a cut above the rest and, in our opinion, is one of the most comfortable lenses out there.

As with most businesses, J&J continues to innovate and has just introduced their brand new Acuvue Oasys with Transitions Light Intelligent Technology. They've partnered with Transitions Optical and have been working for over 10 years to produce the technology for these innovative lenses. Thats right! You can now try out contact lenses that automatically darken when you go outside, and transition back to light when you go inside. These new lenses darken within one minute and are back to light within 90 seconds of going back inside, so they work far better than the transitioning glasses we know from the past. For those who need vision correction and love to wear contact lenses, these are a must. They're especially beneficial for those who work both indoors and outdoors, and we'll discuss further benefits below.

Keep in mind that these new Acuvue Oasys with Transitions lenses are not a substitute for a great pair of polarized sunglasses! Although they darken and provide 100% UVB protection, they will not protect you against all UV rays like polarized sunglasses will.

When wearing these lenses, get ready for an experience! First of all, you can expect them to be super comfortable just like the Acuvue Oasys you may know and love. Although we usually recommend daily disposable lenses for those with dry, sensitive eyes and other eye problems, the Oasys with Transitions is going to be super comfortable for almost everyone. Read more about contact lenses for dry eyes here.

Secondly, you can expect less glare throughout your day. By adapting to changing lighting in your environment, this means that you can wear these lenses all day with ease and without squinting. Go outside for lunch, head back in for a meeting, and meet a friend at the nearest coffee shop. No matter how you plan your day, you can wear these lenses knowing that they're going to provide a bit of shade when you're outside and quickly lighten back up so you can see indoors. And the darkening isn't too much to be distracting, either.

This is the best benefit of all. When encountering bright light, your new contact lenses will automatically transition into darker lenses which protects your eyes from that unwanted glare. Easily go surfing or swimming at the beach, enjoy a game of volleyball, ski down a mountain, and work near an open window without being distracted by bright light (or your glasses, for that matter!) Studies have shown that, compared to clear lenses, those wearing photochromic contact lenses showed nearly 40% less squinting when exposed to challenging environments with bright light.

Clinical studies have shown that, compared to eyes that were wearing clear lenses, those that were wearing photochromic contact lenses demonstrated 43% faster recovery after exposure to bright light. This means that, when you're driving around a corner and the sun suddenly hits your eyes, your eyes will be able to recover back to normal more quickly so that you don't hit the person in front of you. It also means quicker visual recovery while playing fast-paced sports such as baseball and tennis.

Most of us hate driving at night. However, the technology in these lenses is amazing, and they can even reduce the amount of glare and halos you experience at night. Whether you're driving or simply sitting in the passenger seat, wearing these lenses will be beneficial for your ability to see while driving toward oncoming traffic or driving through the rain. The lenses can even improve your ability to read road signs sooner and identify that exit you were supposed to take!

While wearing these lenses, you'll notice an improvement in your chromatic contrast, meaning that colors will stand out much more than they usually do. Have you ever worn a great pair of polarized sunglasses and noticed how the colors just pop? Over 30% of people in one study noticed improvement in this pop of color over their experience while wearing clear lenses. This could be especially helpful while playing golf and attempting to find your ball, and you'll love wearing these lenses while taking in the fall colors on your next Autumn drive.

We've discussed this already, but the new Acuvue Oasys with Transitions lenses are more comfortable than most lenses on the market. If you've been suffering trying to find a contact lens that's comfortable enough for your sensitive eyes, this new lens may be your answer because not only will it be wetable and feel like silk on your eyes, but you'll also experience much less glare (which means less eyestrain, squinting, and headaches).

J&J's new lenses require similar care to the Acuvue Oasys you already know and love. This 2-week disposable contact lens means that you'll remove them every single night for cleaning and disinfection and then throw them away every 2 weeks. They will likely come in both a 12 pack and 24 pack of lenses.

For cleaning, we recommend a hydrogen peroxide solution, such as Clear Care, because this solution is going to keep your lenses feeling comfortable throughout the 2 weeks you wear them. Hydrogen peroxide is a very effective cleanser that removes all dirt, oil, bacteria, and debris quite easily. When using this cleanser, you'll need to use the special case that comes with the bottle and make sure to read the instructions before use. Your lenses will need to sit in the solution for at least six hours before putting your lenses back into your eyes.

We love that these new lenses block 100% UVB light, and they can save you in a pinch when you forget your favorite pair of shades. However, they're NOT a replacement for sunglasses! If you use only these contact lenses during sunny days outside, you're going to end up with aging damage to your eyes such as crow's feet, unsightly wrinkles, and dark spots. So, wear those sunglasses!

No, no, no. Sleeping in contact lenses is never alright, in our opinion! When you sleep in contact lenses, you're depriving your eyes of the essential oxygen they need to be comfortable and healthy. Combine this with the fact that your eyes are closed at night, and you can end up with a whole host of issues if you decide to sleep in your lenses. Bacterial corneal infections such as ulcers can be vision threatening and are not uncommon in those who sleep in contact lenses.

In addition to this great new contact lens and the excitement of its release, Major League Baseball's Bryce Harper, the six-time All-Star and former National League MVP, just signed a deal with Johnson & Johnson and their Acuvue Oasys with Transitions. 

A long time wearer of Acuvue Oasys, Harper has found these new lenses to be super beneficial for him during training with his new team, the Philadelphia Phillies. Not only has it reduced squinting for him during bright days on the field, but the lenses will likely also help his eyes recover more quickly. You can read more about Bryce Harper and his sponsorship deal with J&J here.

So, what do you think? Would you try the brand new Acuvue Oasys with Transitions lenses?

One Love,

Dr. Travis Zigler
SeeEO of Eye Love
Director of the Dry Eye Syndrome Support Community