What is the best eyewear for light sensitivity? 

Having light-sensitive eyes can cause quite a bit of discomfort, especially if you spend a lot of your day outdoors. There’s more than one way to tackle this issue, be it sunglasses or Transitions/photochromic lenses. We’ll explore the different options below so you can find the eyewear solution that best suits your needs.

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In short, what is light sensitivity?

According to UCLA Health, light sensitivity is an intolerance to light that causes discomfort. It can be any source of bright light, be it natural (sunlight) or artificial.

Sunglasses for light sensitivity.

If your light sensitivity is not due to a more serious underlying eye condition (in which case you should consult a doctor), sunglasses can be a straightforward and effective option for reducing the amount of light entering your eyes.

However, standard sunglasses may not always provide full visual clarity, and glare can still be an issue. Polarized sunglasses can help mitigate glare in those cases.

Polarized sunglasses, a glare-reducing option.

Sunglasses with polarized lenses are designed to filter and reduce glare that reflects off surfaces like water, snow, and glass. By cutting down this type of intense glare, polarized lenses can enhance color contrast and clarity – potentially offering a more suitable way to manage light sensitivity for some individuals.

However, polarized sunglasses still have their limitations when it comes to bright light in general. This may lead some to explore other specialized lens options beyond traditional sunglasses. 

Photochromic & Transitions lenses, an ideal solution for light sensitivity.

Another highly recommended solution for managing light sensitivity is wearing photochromic spectacles (glasses with photochromic lenses), giving you eyeglasses that turn into sunglasses in one pair.

Photochromic lenses are light-adaptive, designed to be clear indoors and automatically darken when exposed to UV light outside. These versatile lenses allow regular eyeglasses to essentially turn into sunglasses upon stepping outdoors, providing seamless UV protection.

Transitions is the leading brand of photochromic lenses, offering a wide selection of lens tints and types suitable for different lifestyles. Glasses with Transitions are also referred to as light sensitivity glasses, and provide an excellent option for those who experience discomfort from bright lights throughout the day.

We offer several Transitions lens varieties on our site, including the Transitions XTRActive, which are recommended for individuals with high light sensitivity or frequent exposure to bright conditions. Transitions also offer the XTRActive Polarized version to better combat outdoor glare.

Transitions lenses are available for pretty much every eyeglasses frame we have on our site (we’ve got thousands), so you can get Transitions sports glasses, Transitions safety glasses (ANSI & OSHA compliant), even for kids’ glasses!

Find the right pair for your light sensitivity.

Now that you know your options, explore our selections of sunglasses, polarized shades, or Transitions glasses. Almost all the frames on our site, including sunglasses and designer brands such as Ray-Ban and Oakley, are prescription-eligible. We have free shipping on all orders, plus free 14-day returns (30 days for progressives), 100% money-back guarantee and a manufacturer’s warranty

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