Does anyone have polychromic (darkening) lens?

[roseBudd]

I wear contacts for the most part and wear gray sunglasses even on cloudy days. On the weekends when I wear my wire rim glasses I hate even looking at sun and my clipons are so inconvenient IMHO to pop on and off I wear them inside of stores even though they are too dark, unlike my gray sunglasses. I really like the newer styles in plastic lens and I have noline bifocals so technically my vision is not that great in my contacts. I have figured out that Lenscrafters does not carry Transitions, rather they have something called Reactint. I am hoping to get some real experience opinions, as googling has not turned up much. Oh and WalMart supposedly carries something they refer to as Transitions.

[DavidDvorkin]

1. I have that coating on my regular glasses

It's okay, but on sunny days I prefer my prescription sunglasses, which are considerably darker than the darkest the photosensitive coating on the regular glasses gets.

[Poiuyt]

2. I had those in the 70's

They never got as dark as sunglasses outside, and they never totally cleared up inside. I'm guessing they're better now, but that was my experience.

[Catshrink]

4. Same here -- they are better now.

They change must faster. I was skeptical, but I've been happy with mine -- except that I can't drive with them because of tinted windows.

[Catshrink]

3. I really like my transitions lenses

but... if you have tinted windows in your car, they won't work. I have a pair of glasses with magetic clip sunglasses. They are awesome! I use the transitions pair when I'm working around the house and not driving. It's great to be able to go in and out without having to find the clip ons. I'd wear them all the time if not for the car problem.

I got mine at Costco. The same frames with the magnetic sunglasses were about $300 at Target but $100 at Costco. Amazing.

[roseBudd]

5. Thanks for the Costco tip! Not a member as it's pretty far out...

as i live in an urban area, but we do have a Sam's membership. I had no idea so many places sold glasses now.

[noamnety]

6. I got mine at Costco, too

I was worried they'd stay a little too dark inside, all the old problems from a couple decades ago, but they are fine, they seem completely clear indoors, though it takes a couple minutes to lose the tint.

I got them after walking out of a store one day, and the sun was such a problem for me that my eyes started tearing up. Eventually I was just standing there outside the store with tears running down my face so hard I was afraid to walk into the parking lot, I couldn't see anything through all the water. It went way beyond waiting for my eyes to adjust to the light. I wasn't sure if I should go back in and call home and get my partner to come pick me up. I really couldn't find my car or drive, but I also couldn't bring myself to call to say I couldn't see anything. So I stood there for what felt like ages, with my eyes closed, waiting til my eyes could adjust to the light through my lids, before I could open them.

Since I got these glasses, I haven't had that problem. I know I'm probably an extreme case, but I'm never going back to regular lenses. Too scary. These have been a life saver for me.