Excessively bright sun can damage your eyes and discourage all the desire to go outside in clear weather. With poor eyesight, it is uncomfortable to wear sunglasses, and a wallet does not always allow a wallet to start special darkened ones in addition to the usual ones. But even from such a situation there is a way out - photochromic lenses, or the so-called chameleon lenses.

Glasses with such glasses in the room are no different from ordinary ones. But as soon as their owner goes out into the light, the lenses themselves darken to the required level, protecting the eyes from exposure to ultraviolet rays. All this thanks to the special photochromic elements added during the manufacturing stage. They react to sunlight and darken, thereby protecting the user's eyes.

When choosing photochromic lenses, you need to rely on several very important criteria:

• Shade level (minimum). It is important to pay attention to the minimum parameter, which indicates how transparent the lens is in its normal state. The lower the value, the more transparent they are.
• Shade level (maximum). A parameter that indicates how dark the lens can be in bright sunlight. The greatest value for today is 90%. The higher the number, the darker and more expensive the glasses.
• Speed ​​reaction. Old lenses darkened for a very long time, and brightened the same amount. Modern materials make it possible to increase the rate of reaction of photochromes to sunlight.
• Car wearing. If such glasses are needed for use in a car, then it is worth clarifying whether they will darken in the cabin (that is, whether they react to visible light).
• Additional coatings. Most manufacturers make glasses using Transitions technology, and add coatings on their own. These coatings can be different - dirt-repellent, ultra-durable, and so on. So you can choose according to your taste.

These parameters will determine not only the cost of one lens, but also the wearing comfort. With the right selection, it will turn out to find the ideal option. In our rating of the best photochromic lenses, we have selected the most successful options with reasonable prices. The models are selected according to the most favorable characteristics and reviews of ophthalmologists. Remember: the price is for one piece, not a pair.

TOP 5 best photochromic lenses

5 Cantilen Clear Vision Photo 1.56

Russian single-vision lenses in a spherical design made of polymer. They belong to the budget class of photochromic options and do not have the quality of their more expensive counterparts. However, the model is able to protect from sunlight at a decent level, so it copes with the main function. I am glad that the manufacturer has added an excellent Clear Vision coating, which has many functions. In addition to its traditional hardening and dirt-repelling properties, it also protects against electromagnetic waves. The peculiarity is a polarizing coating, so now there will be no unnecessary glare and split eyes.

There are not so many diopters here - only from -8 to +6. The cylinder is not provided at all, so the model will not work for astigmatics. The lenses will be relatively thick at high diopters, since the refractive index is only 1.56. Supplied in two diameters - 65 and 70. You can choose from two standard colors - brown and gray. It is interesting that they do not have darkening in a calm state - such photochromic lenses are ideally transparent indoors. For the same reason, they are not suitable for drivers, although a polarized coating can improve driving comfort.

4 Rodenstock Perfalit 1.54 ColorMatic

Inexpensive but high quality organic polymer photochromic lenses. German quality pleased here too. Good mid-range lenses can be obtained for a reasonable price. Capable of dimming up to 85% in bright light. In the room, they do not become completely transparent - the residual effect retains about 8% of the darkening. The lens is not the thinnest, the refractive index is only 1.54.But the polymer material made it possible to make it thinner than plastic and even more glass counterparts.

The diopter range is frankly small - only from -6 to +4. There are two diameters - 65 and 70 millimeters. There are two standard colors available - brown and gray. The lenses themselves are coated with one of two options: SPP or Duralux. The first is a nanotechnological coating with many functions, from anti-reflective to dirt-repelling and strengthening. Duralux simply makes the surface more durable and resistant to physical damage. I am glad that the lens quickly reacts to changes in illumination - it takes several tens of seconds for it to change color.

3 HOYA DriveWear Hi-Vision Aqua 1.5

Japanese quality especially for drivers. These photochromic polymer lenses were created for those who spend a lot of time behind the wheel. They have everything you need on the road - a high quality polarizing coating and a sensitive photochromic that can change the degree of shade in a matter of seconds. The color changes very gently from light yellow-green to deep brown, the maximum darkening is up to 85% outdoors. In the car, the lenses will be only 50% darker to create a comfortable driving environment.

The lens is single-focus, the manufacturers provide diopters from -9 to +7.5, but the cylinder, unfortunately, is not provided. There is only one color, brand green-brown. But there are as many as three coating options - HVA (anti-reflective and mud-phobic), SHV (durable and anti-reflective) and HVLL (a combination of the previous two with increased strength). All three options are slightly greenish (up to 25%) even in the absence of darkening factors. Taking into account the polymer material, a lens of moderate thickness - a refractive index of 1.5. An important clarification - you can use glasses only during the day, they are not suitable for night driving.

2 Essilor 1.59 Airwear Transitions Signature 7 polycarbonate Crizal Alize + UV

The manufacturer has tried to make really high quality and versatile photochromic lenses. And the French did it. This is a durable, thin and lightweight lens that can easily save your eyes from excessive UV radiation. It is made of impact-resistant polycarbonate treated with a special Crizal Alize + UV coating. It endows the surface with many useful characteristics - it is perfectly smooth and transparent, it is easy to clean it from dirt. An important feature is that dust and dirt will not linger on the lens, so you will have to clean it less often.

This particular spherical photochromic model is single-vision, you can purchase options from -12 to +7.75 diopters. In addition, it is easy to select a cylinder - from -6 to +5.75. The lens has a refractive index of 1.59 - it cannot be called the thinnest, but it looks quite aesthetically pleasing. The manufacturer provides two shades to choose from - gray and brown. Dims up to 88% in bright light. But in fact, the lenses will have a slight greenishness even in poor light. I am glad that manufacturers have provided the opportunity to use them when working at a computer due to the increased contrast of the image and in the car (even at night).

1 Top Vision ASP 1.67 Transitions XTRActive HMC

Lenses designed specifically for active people. In bright sun, they are dimmed by 90%, which is the best indicator in comparison with all other models. This is a spherical plastic lens with diopters from -10 to +8.75 and a cylinder from -4 to +4. It is single-vision and very thin with a refractive index of only 1.67. There is also a spherical version, but it is noticeably thicker (PI is only 1.5). There are two colors on sale - brown and gray.

There is a multifunctional multi-layer HMC coating that has several properties at once. It eliminates glare, repels moisture and dirt, is anti-static and incredibly durable. The manufacturers have made sure that the model can also be used in the car - it is dimmed by 50%, so that now driving will become noticeably more pleasant even in sunny weather. But it is worth remembering that the initial darkening of such a lens is 11%, so that the shade will be visible even indoors.