Top 6 patient questions and how to respond.
Yes, Transitions GEN S lenses activate up to category 1 levels of darkness behind the windshield. At nighttime, they remain fully clear.
“Transitions GEN S lenses are meant to replace your clear static lenses for everyday use. Because the windshield of your car blocks the UV light that is required for these lenses to activate, they achieve a light activation in the car. What are your specific driving needs and concerns? Let’s talk about how a different Transitions lens, like Transitions® XTRActive®, Transitions® XTRActive Polarized™ or a pair of prescription sunwear could give you what you’re looking for.”
Every vision insurance plan varies. It is important to review the benefit with your customers (after making a full recommendation) and position any benefit as a discount off the overall cost of their lenses.
“It’s great that you have a vision plan and it is going to serve as a nice discount towards the lenses we discussed today. With your specific vision insurance plan, you get ___% off your Transitions lenses (or your co-pay is only $___, which is a huge savings off the retail price). You may also have flex dollars that you can use. My priority is to find the best solution for your eye health and visual comfort – and I believe this includes Transitions lenses for you.”
Customers that bring up negatives about the aesthetics of Transitions lenses are often referencing previous product generations. Helping customers understand today’s technology and the eight vibrant color options available to them is the perfect way to overcome old product perceptions. Also, make sure your optical staff are fitted with Transitions lenses so that they can show customers how great the product looks.
“You may be remembering prior generations of the product. Transitions lenses have come a long way since they were first introduced over 30 years ago. (I’m actually wearing them right now, you can see they’re completely clear.) These lenses are engineered to adjust with your eyes. In fact, most people who wear them love the indoor clarity and say that they don’t even notice the change back to clear because it happens so fast. Plus, they’re available in eight stylish lens color options and six mirror finishes to compliment and personalize virtually any frame. Let’s virtually style different colors and frames styles with the Transitions® Color Match™ tool and find your perfect pair.”
Transitions GEN S lenses activate and darken outdoors in seconds1 when exposed to UV light and return to clear faster than ever*1 when UV light is no longer present. Some customers may express concerns about slow fade-back time recalling older technologies. Transitions GEN S lenses are ultra-responsive to light, activating in seconds and fading back in less than two minutes*1. Show customers the product, particularly if you are wearing Transitions GEN S lenses yourself – and explain to them the enormous technological leaps in dynamic lenses.
“Transitions GEN S lenses are super responsive to light—they start to darken within seconds of being exposed to sunlight. And when you go back inside, they return to clear faster than ever—usually in under two minutes.
A lot of people remember older generation lenses that took a while to fade back, but the technology has come a long way. These lenses are designed to keep up with real life—constantly adjusting so your eyes stay comfortable wherever you go. I’m wearing them now, I can even show you how they work in real time!”
When fully darkened, Transitions GEN S lenses achieve category 3 sun lenses, blocking 100% UVA & UVB rays and filtering up to 85% of blue-violet light2 outdoors. As with any dynamic lens, overall darkness is affected by a number of factors, including UV light and temperature. Transitions GEN S lenses provide the best balance of outdoor darkness and indoor clarity.
“Transitions GEN S lenses are designed to be worn both indoors and outdoors, offering seamless comfort in changing light. While they’re not meant to replace prescription sunglasses, they can get just as dark as regular sunglasses when you're outside.
The key difference is adaptability. Sunglasses have a fixed tint—they’re always the same shade, whether you're in bright sun or light shade. Transitions GEN S lenses, on the other hand, automatically adjust their darkness based on your varying light conditions. That means you get the right level of tint when you need it, and clearer vision when you don’t—so you can move freely in any light without needing to switch glasses.”
It’s often useful to help price conscious customers understand the Transitions lens purchase in the context of their overall eyewear solution. Emphasizing the value of the product and importance of their eye health and comfort can help customers understand why this decision is so critical.
“My top priority is making sure you have the best solution for your eye health, comfort, and everyday convenience. That’s why I recommend Transitions lenses for you. They automatically adjust to changing light, reducing glare, easing eye strain, and offering UV protection—all without needing to switch between multiple pairs of glasses.
The cost for your Transitions lenses is $___, but it’s important to think of them as a daily investment in your visual comfort. You'll wear them every day, throughout the life of your prescription—which can be a year or more. When you break it down, it's a small cost for a big improvement in quality of life.
I understand that budget matters, too. We can look for ways to adjust other parts of your order to help stay within your budget—without sacrificing the quality of your vision.”
Tests carried out using gray lenses. Photochromic performance may vary across colors and lens material.
1. For gray polycarbonate and CR39 lenses with a premium anti-reflective coating fading back to 70% transmission at 23°C.
2. Block 100% UVA &UVB rays, darken outdoors & filter up to 32% of blue-violet light indoors and up to 85% outdoors. Blue-violet light is measured between 400nm and 455 nm (ISO TR 20772:2018)
