Photochromic
Lenses that darken in sunlight and clear up indoors, one pair for inside and out without swapping to sunglasses.
Category
Lens type
Best for
- Commuting and outdoor errands
- Travel
- People who forget their sunnies
How to pick
- 1Great if you’re in and out all day, one pair instead of clear + sunglasses.
- 2Darkens with UV light; takes a minute or two to fade back indoors.
- 3Grey and brown tints are most common. Ask in store to compare.
Limits & restrictions
Photochromic can be added to non-prescription, single vision, Kriptok, and progressive lenses within these ranges:
| SPHLens power | CYLAstigmatism | ADDReading | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Single vision | +4.00 to -8.00 | up to -4.00 | - |
| Kriptok | 0.00 to -4.00 | up to -3.00 | +1.00 to +3.00 |
| Progressive | +4.00 to -6.00 | up to -3.00 | +1.00 to +3.00 |
May not darken fully behind a car windscreen (UV blocked). Some combinations need pre-order, typically 10–14 days.