Don’t you hate it when you have to squint your eyes so hard when your eyes are exposed to extremely harsh light? Well, with Acuvue Oasys with Transitions Light Intelligent Technology contact lenses, you may not ever have to squint (because of harsh light) ever again! These contacts automatically darken when they are exposed to bright light.
These contacts are the first of their kind. They offer the absolute highest level of UV protection when it comes to contacts—and this includes 100 percent protection against UVB rays. These contacts can darken in under a minute and they can go back to clear in roughly 90 seconds once you get out of the bright light. These contacts are available in a two-week reusable lens that will continuously adjust from clear to dark and dark to clear, allowing your eyes to adjust to altering indoor/outdoor conditions more successfully than your eyeballs could do by themselves.
Throughout each lens, there are trillions of photochromic molecules that are extremely responsive to certain kinds of bright light and UV light. When these molecules are exposed to either kind of light, there is a chemical reaction that occurs, causing them to alter structure and darken.
This is such a remarkable technology that the contacts was listed on the 50 best inventions of 2018 by Time.
Want to know how these innovative contacts work? Here is a look at how the Acuvue Oasys with Transitions contacts work—broken down into four easy-to-understand steps.
- These contacts are composed of a certain material known as senofilcon A, which is a material that is already used in the Acuvue Oasys lenses, which are very popular and well-known for their incredible performance for vision correction and comfort.
Photochromic molecules have been utilized for years to make sunglass lenses, and now, they are being used in the contact lens material in these Acuvue Oasys with Transition lenses. Looking deeply at the molecules, they are closed—sort of like a container. For that reason, when the lenses are not being exposed to light or UV rays, they are clear in color.
- When the molecules are exposed to light rays, there is a chemical reaction that happens that alters their structure. The closed molecules end up opening, and as a result, they absorb the visible light and darken in color—in less than one minute.
- When the contacts are in full activation, they are able to block as much as 70 percent of visible light. There were been numerous studies conducted until scientists found the right level of concentration of photochromic molecules. They needed the concentration to be strong enough that it would effectively block out UV and light rays, but not so harsh that it would cause cosmetic changes.
These contacts will not get as dark as a traditional pair of sunglasses. After all, if they did, individuals with light-colored eyes like green or blue would temporarily find themselves with brown- or hazel-colored eyes—something that the company did not want to do.
Keep in mind that these Acuvue Oasys contacts should not be used as a replacement for sunglasses. Though it is true that the contacts do offer protection from UV rays, all parts of the eye are not covered nor is the surrounding skin protected. Therefore, it is important to still wear sunglasses to protect the entire eye area when you go outside.
- As soon as you remove yourself from bright light or UV rays, the contact lens will start to change. The photochromic molecules will begin closing, resulting in the contact lens returning back to normal (clear). The process normally takes about 90 seconds when you head back inside from being outside.
Research has shown that individuals who have worn these contracts squint less, have faster photostress recovery, and enhanced chromatic contrast when compared to individuals who wear regular reusable contacts.
If you would like to learn more, contact us at Performance Vision.