Transition lenses or anti-glare glasses?

Question

I am getting new glasses. I cannot decide between getting transition lenses or anti-glare glasses.

WHich one do you think is better and why?

thanks

Answer 1

Why not do both? Here is some more information for you. Some may be repeated from the above info.

Transition lenses rely solely on ultra violet light to change. Your car windows will prohibit the UV light and the lenses really won't work while driving. For outdoor activity they work very well. So if you want sun protection mainly for driving, either get clip-ons or Rx sunglasses. Transition lenses take about 5 minutes to get back to almost clear, but will begin to lighten as soon as you go inside. Polarized sunglass will reduce glare from reflective surfaces like water, snow, wet roads, etc.

Anti-reflective coatings significantly reduce the amount of reflection on the lenses themselves. Less fatigue at the computer and far better night driving. They also make your eyeglasses look nicer without the mirror like reflection on the lens. if you get a good quality A/R like Crizal, you should have no problems and if you do the lenses are generally covered under a full lens replacement warranty for as much as 2 years. Chain places like Lenscrafters don't have it. They have c**p like the other guy was referring to. A poor quality A/R will not hold up and not because you didn't take care of them, it just wears down.  

Ask questions when ordering and find out what kind of warranty is available.

Answer 2

I've had them both.Anti glare is good because it illiminates glare.Good for driving.Can always get something to cover the glasses.Transition lenses are good too.But you have to go in and out of the sun several times to activate them.And once you go from sun to inside you tend to run into stuff cause they're dark.

Answer 3

Transitions = Plastic photochromatic lenses - that turn dark when you go out in the sun.

Anti-Glare lenses = Polaroid lenses which have a property to eliminate reflected glare.

Polarized lenses have permanent tint so they are not very helpful during the night time.

Transitions turn white (as good as white) at night.

If your prescription is high and you want to use your spectacles the whole day then i suggest you go for transitions.

If you are getting glasses specifically for sun and outdoors (day) then you can go for polarized (anti-glare) lenses.

Answer 4

Transitions - hands down!

(remember "Transitions" is a tm - there are other variations and they work just as well - it's not absolutely necessary to pay for the name unless that makes you feel comfortable)

About 5 years ago, I let the hourly help at my local optometrist talk me into anti-glare on top of the transitions -

MISTAKE!!!! DON'T DO IT

anti-glare is an superficial additive to the glass...

after about 1 year it started deteriorating and completely ruined the lense (beyond repair).

Antiglare is not going to reduce the fatigue factor from mid-day sun!  

Transitions will do just that!

Over the last 5 years I've had 3 (currently 1 new pair - there is one pair somewhere in the Chesapeake Bay near point Lookout) pairs of transitions and I actually find them more comfortable than my contacts and sunglasses (and I have Mauis, Oakleys, RayBans, Bolles and Serengettis - but you still have to have style!) combinations.

Go with the Transititions - the simplicity and comfort will not let you down

Answer 5

Anti Reflective coatings take the glare off of the surface of your glasses. Different coatings by different companies are of different quality and have different warranties. Cheaper ones last about a year and have about a year waranty. Better quality ones can last from 2-4 years and have a 2 year warranty.  Price usually dictates the quality and how long it lasts. Pricing is different in every area so I won't quote prices here as they may be higher or lower in your area. How you care for your glasses also makes a big difference, so keep that in mind. AR coatings  clears up night time driving glare, computer screen glare and over head lighting glare.  It lets more usable light in through your lenses so that you can see better. It makes your lenses less aparant so you look better especially when you are getting into lenses that are a bit more powerful so they look closer to normal as well. Transitions, or antoher photo sensative lens will function as a sun glass when exposed to UV rays. They are intended to cut sun glare, something that an AR lense does not do, (and vice versa....AR lenses do not cut sun glare...) They do not turn dark in the car as the windsheild and the top of the car sheild you from the UV rays.  They are sometimes too dark for some people and not dark enough for others. Remember that they can take up to 15 minutes to clear up completely indoors. Some people that are light sensitive appreciate that, some hate it. It is a personal choice. I never present them as an alternative to sun glasses, I advise that they are great for your primary pair of glasses if you are light sensative, but you will still need sunglasses (preferably polarized) to drive with or in very bright situations that the transitions lenses may not help with as much  because they are not polarized.  Some of my clients do have both Transitions and AR together becuase they cut different kinds of glare. Personally, I have AR lenses in clear on most of my glasses, and I wear Polarized RX sunglasses. I am ordering a pair of Transitions with premium AR on them in a couple of weeks once I find a cool frame, but only becuase they have a new product out and I want to see how they work together before I can effectively give advice to my patients about how they work together.  The important thing is to decide which kind of glare is causing you the most greif and address that issue if it is an either/or choice. I hope I did not confuse you any further! Good luck and i hope you love your new glasses!