Indoor / Outdoor lenses
Photochromic prescription glasses
Clear indoors. Grey polarized sun lenses outdoors.
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The short answer
Photochromic lenses darken when ultraviolet light hits them and clear again indoors. Ours is the Indoor / Outdoor lens tint option. The lenses are clear inside and become grey polarized sun lenses outdoors. They polarize as they darken. They block UV and blue light all the time, clear or dark. It’s a $100 option on any of our prescription eyeglasses, single vision or progressive.
How they behave
What to expect from photochromic lenses
- Outdoors in the sun
They go fully dark, about as dark as our regular sun lenses. They polarize as they darken.
- Indoors
They clear. A faint smoky tint for a little while after you come in is normal.
- In the car
Windshields block most UV, so they darken only partly behind the glass and don’t fully polarize.
- Cold and cloud
Cold weather, cloud and low winter sun slow or soften the change.
One pair or two
When photochromic lenses fit
They’re the convenient choice when you go in and out all day and want one pair. For driving and long days outside, dedicated sunglasses stay fully dark and polarized.
Darren, our co-founder, offers both routes to customers. Choose prescription eyeglasses for clear or Indoor / Outdoor lenses. Choose prescription sunglasses for dedicated polarized sun lenses.
Compared
Indoor / Outdoor and polarized sunglasses
| Indoor / Outdoor | Polarized sunglasses | |
|---|---|---|
| Indoors | Clear | Dark |
| Outdoors | Grey polarized | Grey or Brown Polarized |
| Behind a windshield | Partly dark | Fully dark |
| Mirror finishes | No | Three, $50 more |
| Sold on | Prescription eyeglasses | Prescription sunglasses |
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Frames for Indoor / Outdoor lenses
Choose Indoor / Outdoor Lenses as the lens type on any prescription eyeglasses.
How it works
From your prescription to your door
Pick a frame and your lenses
Choose single vision or progressive. Eyeglasses come with clear lenses or our Indoor / Outdoor lens tint option. Sunglasses come with Grey or Brown Polarized lenses.
Add your prescription and PD
Upload a photo of your prescription when you order, or send it afterward from the link we email you. Our team reviews every prescription before we start.
We make them in about two weeks
We digitally surface, coat and edge your lenses in our California lab. Shipping is free and takes about three days.
Common questions
Frequently asked questions
Are photochromic lenses good for computer work?
Yes. Indoors they’re clear, so at a desk they work like our clear lenses. They block UV and blue light all the time, clear or dark. A faint smoky tint indoors is normal.
Can I read with photochromic lenses?
Yes. We make them to your prescription, single vision or progressive. Indoors they’re clear, like our regular lenses.
What does photochromic mean?
A photochromic lens changes tint in response to light. Ultraviolet light darkens it. It clears when the UV goes away.
Are photochromic lenses polarized?
Ours are. They polarize as they darken, so they’re polarized outdoors and non-polarized while clear. A non-polarized version can be made at the same price on request.
Do photochromic lenses work in the car?
Only partly. Windshields block most UV, so the lenses darken a little and don’t fully polarize. Dedicated sunglasses work better for driving.
What colors do they come in?
Clear to grey polarized. That’s the only color that also polarizes.
Can I get them with progressive lenses?
Yes. Indoor / Outdoor is available on single vision and progressive prescription eyeglasses.
How much does it cost?
Indoor / Outdoor Lenses add $100 to the price of any prescription eyeglasses.
Indoor / Outdoor lenses
One pair for inside and out.
Lenses made to your prescription · Free 3-day shipping · 60-day remakes
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