Transition Spectacles vs. Sunglasses: What Should I Get?

While prescription sunglasses are often perceived as a pair of stylish accessories, they are actually key to maintaining healthy eyes. When you live in sunny Singapore, where it’s summer all year round, prescription sunglasses become a must-have accessory.

Choosing the right pair of branded sunglasses is important as they don’t all offer the same protection. Both transition spectacles and sunglasses each have different advantages and drawbacks and it’s important that you compare the two before coming to a decision. If you’re on the fence about which type of spectacles to invest in, we will shed light on the difference between transition spectacles and sunglasses to help you decide.

Transition Spectacles

Transition spectacles, also known as photochromic lenses, are specially designed to darken after about 30 seconds of exposure to UV rays. Once you step out of the sun and move to an indoor environment, the lenses become clear again within a few minutes. It takes much longer for the lenses to return to normal than the time it takes for them to darken. Transition lenses are available in a wide variety of materials, lens, and colours. They can even be used in prescription progressive and bifocal spectacles.

Pros of Transition Spectacles:

1. Convenience

For those with strong eyewear prescription, transition spectacles offer a convenient solution for sun protection as they possess UV protection. This saves you the hassle of switching between your regular spectacles and prescription sunglasses and is especially convenient for those who are constantly moving indoors and outdoors all day. With transition lenses, you have one less thing to carry in your bag, limiting the risk of losing glasses!

2. Cost-effective

Having a pair of transition spectacles lets you save some costs as you won’t end up having to purchase two pairs of glasses: normal spectacles and prescription sunglasses. With transition lenses, you get the best of both rolled into one.

3. Different Styles

They come in a plethora of styles, colours, and tints suitable for different preferences and won’t limit your fashion sense. For those who prefer a more conservative style, there are transition spectacles that offer a more professional look as well.

Cons of Transition Spectacles:

1. Ineffective In Cars

A car’s windshield is usually tinted to block UV rays. Since the transition lenses don’t come into contact with UV rays while you’re driving, the lenses don’t darken completely which makes your eyes still vulnerable to the presence of glare. This makes it dangerous especially when you’re driving on a really sunny day as it may distract you from the road. 

2. Influenced By Temperature

Not only are the molecules in transition spectacles triggered by sunlight’s UV rays, but they are also triggered by temperature. Cold temperatures accelerate the reaction of the molecules, while warmer conditions will slow it down, which can be a problem in Singapore as it’s warm all year round and you will need a quicker darkening time to protect your eyes. It can take anywhere between four to ten minutes for transition lenses to clear up after being outdoors. While some are not bothered by this, others may feel self-conscious or irritated by the slow reversion.

3. The difference in reaction time

Transitions is a technology that different spectacles adopt in their lens with the most recent version being the Generation 8 lenses. The newest Generation 8 transition lenses are equipped with the latest technology which has a quicker reaction time. However, different spectacles with transition lenses come with different levels of darkness and reaction times, depending on the coating durability and lens matrix. Thus, it’s best to speak to your optician to find out what works best for your eyes. 

Prescription Sunglasses

Prescription sunglasses are optimal for when you’re exposed to the sun for long periods of time. One of its advantages is that they work in most optical-quality frames, including designer styles from top brands. Many branded sunglasses in Singapore come with lenses that not only offer UV protection and polarisation, they also have an additional anti-scratch coating applied to prevent those scratch marks from appearing over time.

Pros of Prescription Sunglasses:

1. Customise To Your Style

With branded sunglasses, you’ll have the freedom to choose different tints and styles and have them tailored to your unique preferences. Depending on how you want to see the world, you can choose from a variety of colours too! Sport lenses are also available for those with active lifestyles and need something of higher impact resistance.

2. Good For Driving

In cars and other places where UV light is prevented by the glass, prescription sunglasses will darken. Unlike transition lenses, you can instantly change to your prescription sunglasses instead of waiting for them to adjust over time. When the sun is out, you can simply put them on and have your desired level of darkness right away, regardless of temperature or UV exposure.

3. Less Expensive 

Prescription sunglasses typically cost less than transition spectacles. However, having a separate pair of prescription sunglasses means having to buy an additional pair on top of your regular glasses. In this case, they can be costly only if you opt for the branded sunglasses.

Cons of Prescription Sunglasses:

1. Inconvenient

Getting a pair of prescription sunglasses on top of your regular glasses makes you more prone to losing them as you have to carry around an additional pair. On top of that, you’ll have to store your sunglasses elsewhere when they are not in use, which makes them inconvenient.

2. Not All Sunglasses Offer 100% UV Protection

Unfortunately, not all sunglasses are created equal. When you buy a cheap pair, they don’t provide 100% UV protection which is why it’s important to buy from reputable suppliers when shopping for sunglasses. To ensure that you are getting proper protection for your eyes, look out for products with “100% UV protection” or “UV 400”.

Transition Spectacles vs. Prescription Sunglasses

When deciding between the two, consider whether or not your lifestyle has you spending much of your time outdoors or driving during the day. The convenience of prescription sunglasses may justify the added cost. Ultimately, the best way to decide what works for you is to consult with your optician. With Singapore’s UVI scores hovering around 8 to 11 on average, it’s important to protect your eyes with high-quality sunglasses that block harmful UV rays.

Bask in the sun with quality branded sunglasses from Better Vision in Singapore. Choose from a wide range of prescription sunglasses from brands like Emporio Armani, Furla, and Ray-Ban, and improve comfort with the various coatings!