and availability in popular materials and designs ,” he said .
Ligas said the first three generations of Transitions lenses were the building blocks for what is now the most advanced photochromic technology on the market .
He said that by the time the company had developed Next Generation Transitions lenses in 2002 , the ability to have a lens that was as clear indoors as a regular clear lens and dark outdoors was nearly perfected .
The development of the Transitions ® V lens in 2005 took the photochromic category to the next level for polycarbonate materials .
“ When we got to Transitions ® VI we had unified technology . We were able to combine the various technologies from 1.50 – 1.74 lens ,” he said .
When it comes to the technology itself , Ligas says a photochromic lens design is very different from traditional sun wear . He notes that sun wear has a fixed tint that is always dark , which doesn ’ t offer the optimum indoor / outdoor experience for everyday wearers .
In the past , many people have complained that traditional sun wear requires them to switch back and forth between sunglasses and regular glasses .
“ Photochromic molecules adapt to the changing light ,” he said , adding that this effortless change gives wearers a broad spectrum for viewing life in the best light .
The Transitions Optical R & D team continues to make advancements in the Transitions ® family of products available . Transitions ® adaptive lenses ,
Transitions ® XTRActive ® lenses and Transitions ® Vantage™ lenses remain among the most popular choices for patients and eyecare providers .
He says each product addresses the needs of individual patients and their eye concerns .
The Transitions XTRActive lens offers activation behind the windshield of a car and a hint of tint indoors to shield from artificial light from office and home lighting or reading digital devices . This is because Transitions XTRActive lenses use Transitions Optical ’ s patented advanced photochromic technology , but are designed with a different formulation ( or blend ) of photochromic dyes , which are “ tuned ” to not only activate in the UV region , but also in the visible region of the spectrum .
This lens becomes the darkest adaptive everyday lens outdoors in extreme heat and blocks 100 per cent of UVA and UVB rays .
“ Transitions XTRActive lenses provide superior darkness above all other attributes . They incorporate photochromic dyes that allow for darkness under more conditions ,” he said .
Ligas added the Transitions Vantage lens is something that makes him particularly proud of his technical team . He noted the product is a unique offering to the industry .
Transitions Vantage lenses are the only everyday lens with variable polarization , which is technology that is different than conventional photochromic and polarization technologies . They block 100 per cent of UVA and UVB rays and are designed to work with most prescriptions and frames .
“ The Transitions Vantage lens goes from clear to dark offering variable polarization . The photochromic dyes in Transitions Vantage lenses not only darken , but they also align to create polarization outdoors , and then revert back to clear indoors ,” he said .
In helping eyecare providers provide their clients with the best choices , the R & D team has developed several tools to demonstrate the effects of light on the lenses .
These tools have been made available for offices and practices to help educate and better inform patients .
“ For example , one of the Transitions Vantage demonstration tools illustrates reflective glare and shows how Transitions Vantage lenses can block out the reflective glare ,” said Ligas . “ This allows eye care professionals to demonstrate the product to the consumer .”
As the team at Transitions Optical continues to develop new technologies , Ligas says there are still new and exciting advancements being made and they won ’ t let the industry stand still for too long .
He said the team is currently looking at developing eyewear that goes even darker for hotter climates and regions such as Africa and South America , who are welcoming new technology into their cultures .
“ We want the consumer to like what they are wearing and feel more comfortable wearing their Transitions eyewear ,” Ligas added . •
OPTICAL PRISM DIGITAL SUPPLEMENT | JUNE 2013 17