'TRANSITION' (ie photochromic) lenses in glasses

ceridwen

Have got new glasses with the Transition coating (£60 of cost). Am wondering now whether my usual method of cleaning my glasses is appropriate for this or whether it will damage my expensive coating. (Usual glasses-cleaning method being a bit of diluted washing-up liquid).

If this isnt a good idea - what else can people suggest please? (yep I know I could ask the opticians themselves - but they would suggest an expensive/chemical-filled solution to the problem and I want cheap/environmentally-friendly).

Katykat

The "proper "stuff is sold in supermarkets everywhere, usually about £1 for a bottle that last ages. Dont buy from Optician, you'll pay about £4 for the same. Incidentally, I had Transitions on my last pair of specs, but decided against them this time. They are good, but not enough to keep the strong sun out, and they dont work in the car where I usually need them more. Also, I got fed up walking around in winter with shades on. They never really "cleared" properly. Maybe I just got unlucky

roddydogs

ceridwen wrote: »

Have got new glasses with the Transition coating (£60 of cost). Am wondering now whether my usual method of cleaning my glasses is appropriate for this or whether it will damage my expensive coating. (Usual glasses-cleaning method being a bit of diluted washing-up liquid).

If this isnt a good idea - what else can people suggest please? (yep I know I could ask the opticians themselves - but they would suggest an expensive/chemical-filled solution to the problem and I want cheap/environmentally-friendly).

Transitions are ok, but will go dark in cold weather even on a normal clear day.They wont work in a car, as the bright light has to actually fall on the lenses to work
also it only last about 2 years, then work only poorly,

shazrobo

i love transitions lenses, and have had them everytime i've had new glasses for a lot of years now, they are great. i wash mine with bit diluted washing up liquid and its never caused any problems

Ted_Hutchinson

People prone to SAD should think very carefully before buying photochromic or tinted lenses.
It is important for your circadian rythmn to be exposed to bright light early in the morning and wearing photochromic lenses may prevent or reduce this effect. Trouble with many SAD/depressed folk is they become more sensitive to bright light and tend to hide behind dark glasses thus exacerbating the problem.

Savvy_Sue

roddydogs wrote: »

They wont work in a car, as the bright light has to actually fall on the lenses to work

Yes, that's what the optician told us when I asked about them for DS2 who had to get them before he could drive. Was a bit mad, because we'd only bought them for DH to avoid the need for clip-ons for driving and not been told this a few years ago!

However, he's now due to buy a new pair, so we may get clear for normal use and a light 'shade' for driving on one of these bogof offers. They never do clear entirely, and he looks quite sinister if he keeps them on for photos. On the other hand he looks naked if he takes them off for photos ...

sillyvixen

the transition effect is caused by crystels in the lens itself, and not by a coating. what you most likley have on the lens is also a reflection free coating, this should not be cleaned with washing up liquid as now days washing up liquid contains abrasives designed for getting food particles off plates effectivley but will damage the lens coating allowing moisture to get underneath and cause lifting of the coating in that area. sprays are available, if you have problems keeping lenses clean or are out and about lots these can be usefull. generally you can keep lenses clean eith a soft cloth (microfiber is good) if the lens is particually dirty of gritty run the lenses under luke warm water (not hot) and this will desolve dirt and gentally lift grit. if you are washing your cleaning cloth avoid fabric conditioner as this leaves a residue on the lens when you next wipe for lenses.

sillyvixen

forgot to say, the reasons that transitions/photochromic lenses dont work in a car is not a fault of the lenses, current car windows have a uv filter as standard. as uv is harmfull to eyes it is necessarcy to put uv filters into all car windscreens. uv is the thing that sets off the transition lenses, but people need to keep cocentarated looking for driving in through the window and it is therefore necessary to filter uv through windscreens to preserve sight.

ceridwen

sillyvixen wrote: »

the transition effect is caused by crystels in the lens itself, and not by a coating. what you most likley have on the lens is also a reflection free coating, this should not be cleaned with washing up liquid as now days washing up liquid contains abrasives designed for getting food particles off plates effectivley but will damage the lens coating allowing moisture to get underneath and cause lifting of the coating in that area. sprays are available, if you have problems keeping lenses clean or are out and about lots these can be usefull. generally you can keep lenses clean eith a soft cloth (microfiber is good) if the lens is particually dirty of gritty run the lenses under luke warm water (not hot) and this will desolve dirt and gentally lift grit. if you are washing your cleaning cloth avoid fabric conditioner as this leaves a residue on the lens when you next wipe for lenses.

Yes - I do have anti-reflection coating.

Thanks for that - "good information" as one of my friends would say. See your point re washing-up liquid abrasives - wonder if this would apply to the ones I use (do you know the name of the particular chemical/s concerned so I could check the label). Can see that would apply to conventional washing-up liquids - but I use Ecover (so presume thats okay?).

roddydogs

Transitions are not as expensive as u think-because you dont need a "hardened" coating as well.so my op says

iamtheparty

Please don't use washing up liquid!! Proper lens cleaner isn't that expensive and lasts aaaaages. You'd be better if you just breathed on the lenses and wiped them with a soft cloth!