Transitions has been the best-selling photochromic lenses on the market for decades. The new Transitions® Signature® Gen 8 improves all the key features we’ve come to enjoy, plus there are some exciting new options.

Here’s what’s new and improved.

Faster fadeback

By far the number one complaint I get from patients regarding light adaptive lenses is the length of time it takes fully dark lenses to return to clear. Transitions VII took nearly eight minutes to return to clear. The new Gen 8 technology cuts it down by three minutes, making the fadeback time less than five minutes.

In the real world this means by the time you enter your building, get in the elevator and arrive at your floor you should have clear lenses. That “in-between” look, where the lenses are still noticeably tinted is a look most consider unflattering, so the faster it passes the more enjoyable the experience will be.

An impressive improvement, which may go unnoticed, is the reduced effect temperature plays on fadeback time. In the past, warmer temperatures would cause photochromic lenses to take longer when transitioning from clear to dark and dark to clear, but this has been minimized with Transitions Signature Gen 8 to deliver a more consistent experience in different weather conditions.

30% faster darkening

This improvement hit home for me. I have photic sneeze reflex, meaning I sneeze when I go from normal office building lighting to bright middle-of-the-day outdoor sunlight. When I walk outside, the first few minutes can be pretty intense. My eyes water, I have an uncontrollable squint, and on really bad days, the brightness can be blinding.

I don’t like to carry two sets of glasses when I’m taking a short walk to grab a bite to eat, so I depend on my Transitions lenses for light control. The new Gen 8 lenses reach full darkness in less than 40 seconds! That’s 30% faster than Transitions Signature VII. On top of that, Gen 8 lenses also get just a bit darker, roughly 3%, than their predecessor.

If you’re wondering how Transitions Signature Gen 8 compares to Transitions Xtractive, they will now be almost indistinguishable at their darkest point. Transitions Xtractive will have a perceivable tint at its clearest point but this is done intentionally, to allow the lenses to darken even while driving.

Blue light protection

You already know Transitions Signature lenses optimize your vision outdoors, but did you know they also naturally offer blue light protection?

• At their clearest point, Transitions Signature Gen 8 lenses filter 20% of blue light between 380-460nm. 
• At their darkest point, they filter 87%.

If you’re looking for added blue light protection, you can order Transitions® Gen 8 lenses with Crizal Prevencia and boost your indoor blue light protection to 40%. This will give you the most complete and versatile lenses available today.

You can really have it all: indoor blue light protection, reduced outdoor glare and improved visual quality in bright and sunny conditions.

New colors

Transitions Signature Gen 8 is available in grey, brown and graphite green but soon you’ll have even more color options. In the first quarter of 2020, Transitions will be adding what they call “style colors” including sapphire, amethyst, emerald and amber.

The new style colors will harness the Gen 8 technology, which means you’ll still have virtually colorless lenses when indoors and quick light adaptive lenses when you go outside. With eyewear becoming more of a reflection of one’s personality, having the option to customize your glasses beyond the frame is an exciting feature I can’t wait to experiment with.

Are Transitions Signature Gen 8 right for you?

With all the upgrades, Transitions Signature Gen 8 has become a lens feature that has something for everyone. Though they are not intended to be a complete replacement of your polarized sunglasses, they are more convenient and cost-effective than a separate set of shades.

With faster darkening and fadeback times, blue light filtering and new color options, people of all ages and lifestyles can benefit from these innovative lenses. Whether you have single vision or multifocal lenses, Transitions Signature Gen 8 will keep your eyes healthy and happy.

Transitions Gen 8 is also available in your preferred lens material, such as polycarbonate and hi-index.

When will Gen 8 be available?

Transitions Signature Gen 8 has already begun to replace Signature VII so you don’t even have to worry about making a special request. Only the new style colors are pending a solid release date but the grey, brown and graphite green are available immediately.

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