What about that evening party where tons of fireworks have been set off but everything you see is fuzzy? If you are already experiencing these, perhaps it’s time to consider transition lenses. But how much do transition lenses cost?
Average Transition Lenses Cost
If you are prescribed one, the cost of transition lenses usually ranges from $79 to $119, but could be as high as $500. The price is on top of the prescription eyeglasses cost, which can be anywhere from $50 to $200, but could be up to over $1,000 for the branded ones.
The final cost still depends on the other aspects of the eyeglasses, like glass frames, lenses, and any coatings chosen. On the other hand, customized or pre-made glasses with photochromic lenses cost as much as $200 to $400.
If you have insurance that covers eye health, your provider may cover around 10% to 50% of the total cost of eyeglasses. Transition lenses may be covered by the insurance as well. Of course, this is dependent on whether the facility you choose is within the network of your insurance company.
Additional Costs
Lenses require a prescription. You just don’t go to vision retailers and order lenses just because you feel you need them or because you think it’s cool to wear eyeglasses. A prescription is definitely necessary.
Some optical shops will include the examination for free as long as you order the complete set of eyeglasses from them, frames and all, on the spot. Otherwise, prepare to spend around $45 to $70 as an eye examination fee, if you don’t have insurance.
As the prices of transition lenses mentioned above still do not include the frame yet, this could add up to a hundred dollars to the total bill, depending on the style and brand of your choice. To get a Transition brand of glasses, or add light-adjusting safety glasses, the cost will start at $75 and can reach up to $500.
To protect your glasses from scratches or getting broken from a fall, glass cases can cost anywhere from $5 to $50 depending on the style, material, and brand. Microfiber clothes and lens cleaner will not cost you more than $10.
Factors Affecting Cost of Transition Lenses
Unlike frames, lens pricing is very unpredictable throughout the industry. Many optical shops will mark up lens prices differently, sometimes far from the standard local market rates. So, it is up to you to shop around and find the best deals.
Photochromic lenses cost varies because there are many factors that affect the price of eyeglass lenses. Just like the regular eyeglass lenses, the price of transition lenses depends on the following:
- Lens material
Some of the considerations in buying the lens material are whether you need impact–resistant lenses or ultra-thin ones. The regular or the standard plastic ones are also included in the choices.
- Lens type
The lens type will also be a major aspect in the decision-making process. Do you need glasses with the lens just for reading? Or something that corrects your eye distance viewing or astigmatism that needs to be corrected.
- Prescription
The total cost you will have to spend also mainly depends on what is indicated on your prescription. Specifications and special instructions based on what your eyes really need will be the basis of the lens grade and other add-ons if necessary.
- Added special features
Coatings are the other options you have to consider if you also need to protect your eyes while working with screens. Will buying that anti-reflective coating worth the shot?
An anti-reflective coating is for reducing reflections from the front of your lenses like glares from headlights, phones, computers, or TV screens. You can also choose to obtain scratch-resistant ones for big outdoor activities.
- Brand
Moreover, there are various transition lens brands to select from. Either you need darker lenses for additional protection or do lenses that are simply clear for the indoors, different brands can provide you with a plethora of choices for your specific needs.
- Location
Since different states and counties have differing costs of living and costs of doing business, you can expect the same specifications of transition lenses to have varying prices across the country.
Benefits of Transition Lenses
Every day, your eyesight adapts to the ever–changing light of the sun. You now have the lenses for your glasses that do the transitions for you.
“Photochromic lenses” constantly adapt to the changing light. The terms are often interchangeable with “transition lenses” after the brand, Transitions, which developed the product. In fact, it has somehow become the proprietary eponym for photochromic lenses.
These lenses adjust to the changing light conditions of the outdoors and indoors and change as they darken. They are highly responsive to both direct and indirect sunlight.
Staying indoors, your lenses will be sharp and normal, and they’ll darken just enough to augment your visual experience. Transitions lenses are available in nearly every frame and can be added to most glasses.
Another noted feature is that these lenses block a high amount of UVA/UVB light. Transition lenses are a smart choice if you’re seeking protection from the garish light of both dark and well-lit areas but still want sharper vision.
The lenses also activate in the car as they react to visible light. They feature a certain tint level while indoors to protect your eyes from the severity of indoor light.
Such lenses are for people who are looking to protect their eyes from all kinds of light and who frequently spend time going out for outdoor activities.
Innovative lenses with variable polarization technology, sunglasses now offer polarized lenses to help block the sun’s glare. This may be harmful to your eyes and may lead to serious diseases such as cataracts and macular degeneration.
Because your eyes can be subjected to abrupt changes in lighting throughout the day, it can be quite detrimental to your eyesight without protection. As photochromic lenses adapt to changing light conditions, they also polarize when in the dark, reducing glare so that you can see visuals in crisp, sharp, and vivid colors.
If they’re exposed to the searing sunlight, they protect your eyes from harmful UV rays by reacting by becoming darker and more polarized in the garish light of day.
It was only recently that polarity was seen as something directly smeared onto a lens. And since it was tinted, this feature is not available for clear lenses.
The creators of the lenses, however, found an answer to this issue. This is done by creating lens particles that not only adjust color when exposed to different kinds of light. They also support the angle at which the light reaches the eye.
The result is an innovative light-adaptive lens that’s polarized to lessen image-degrading glares from light scatter, making it conducive for people who go to and fro from the inside to the outside world.