{{Short description|American photochromic lens manufacturer}} {{promotional|date=April 2018}} {{Infobox company | name = Transitions Optical, Inc. | logo = Transitions Optical logo.svg | type = Subsidiary | area_served = Worldwide | key_people = Chrystel Barranger (President of Photochromics) | industry = Optical; Eyewear, eyeglass, Lenses | products = Photochromic lenses | num_employees = 320 | parent = Essilor | homepage = {{URL|https://www.transitions.com/}} | foundation = {{Start date|1990}} | location_city = Pinellas Park, Florida | location_country = United States }} '''Transitions Optical''' is a U.S.-based company known for manufacturing photochromic lenses, which darken on exposure to specific types of light. The company was founded in 1990.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Transitions Lenses {{!}} Light Intelligent Photochromic Lenses |url=https://www.transitions.com/en-us/ |access-date=2023-03-24 |website=www.transitions.com}}</ref>

In 1991, Transitions Optical became the first company to commercialize and manufacture plastic photochromic lenses.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.babm.com/featurestory/Transitions-Optical.htm |title=Business Magazine &#124; BABM &#124; Featurestory l Transitions Optical Changing Their Outlook by David Liller |publisher=BABM.com |date= |accessdate=2015-03-17}}</ref> From inception the company has been a joint venture between PPG Industries (51%) and Essilor (49%).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://en-us.transitions.com/Our-Company/History/ |title=History of Our Eye Care Innovation &#124; Transitions Optical |publisher=En-us.transitions.com |date= |accessdate=2015-03-17}}</ref><ref>{{cite news| url=http://www.post-gazette.com/stories/business/news/ppg-essilor-may-make-transition-670456/ | work=Pittsburgh Post-Gazette | first=Joyce | last=Gannon | title=PPG, Essilor may make transition – Pittsburgh Post-Gazette | date=15 January 2013}}</ref> In April 2014, Essilor acquired the entire stake of PPG in Transitions.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/2014/04/01/essilor-idUSnBw316329a+100+BSW20140401 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140808045856/http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/04/01/essilor-idUSnBw316329a+100+BSW20140401 |url-status=dead |archive-date=2014-08-08 |title=Essilor finalizes the acquisition of Transitions Optical |publisher=Reuters.com |date=2014-04-01 |accessdate=2015-03-17}}</ref> <!-- Photochromic lenses, also called adaptive lenses, are transparent indoors and at night and automatically darken outdoors as light conditions change. They block UV rays and help to improve contrast and reduce glare.<ref>{{Citation | last = Marie | first = Dee | title = Transitions Lenses Review | url = http://momgadget.com/index.php?s=transitions | accessdate = 2 November 2010}}</ref> Transitions Optical also produce adaptive sun wear that go from dark to darker outdoors depending on the sun.<ref>{{Citation | title = Boat and Gear Guide | newspaper = Rapid Magazine | date = February 2009}}</ref><ref>{{Citation | last = Cullinan | first = Bob | title = This Week's Freebie -- Garmin-Transitions Team Optics | date = June 14, 2010 | url = http://www.cycleto.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=1457:transitions&catid=1:this-weeks-give-away | publisher =Cycleto.com | accessdate = 2015-03-17}}</ref> -->

From 2009 to 2012, Transitions Optical was the title sponsor of the Transitions Championship, a PGA Tour event held at Innisbrook Resort and Golf Club in Palm Harbor, Florida.<ref>{{Citation | title = Transitions Optical Sees Gold in Tournament Sponsorship | newspaper = Tampa Bay Business Journal | date = March 9, 2009 | url = http://www.bizjournals.com/tampabay/stories/2009/03/09/story10.html}}</ref><ref>{{Citation | title = No More Doom and Gloom for Innisbrook | newspaper = Tampa Tribune | date = March 14, 2009 | url = http://www2.tbo.com/content/2009/mar/14/sp-no-more-doom-and-gloom/}}</ref> The firm was the Official Eyewear of the PGA Tour, Champions Tour and Nationwide Tour.<ref>{{Citation | title = Transitions Optical Partners with PGA TOUR | newspaper = Tampa Bay Business Journal | date = August 20, 2008 | url = http://www.bizjournals.com/tampabay/stories/2008/08/18/daily33.html}}</ref> It also sponsors pro cycling Team Garmin-Cervelo.<ref>[http://www.slipstreamsports.com/sponsors/transitions] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110128160224/http://www.slipstreamsports.com/sponsors/transitions|date=January 28, 2011}}</ref>

In April 2014, Essilor acquired the remaining stake from PPG, making Transitions Optical a wholly owned subsidiary of Essilor.<ref>{{Citation |title=Essilor |date=2025-08-17 |work=Wikipedia |url=https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Essilor&oldid=1306300328 |access-date=2025-09-16 |language=en}}</ref>

== Products ==

* '''Transitions Signature GEN 8''' - Latest generation aimed to improve fade-back speed (faster return to clarity indoors), darker outdoor performance, enhancements in colour and clarity. GEN 8 is still selling in multiple retailers but since was replaced to GEN S in 2024. * '''Transitions GEN S'''- designed for more rapid darkening (within ~25 seconds in some cases), fast fade back, expanded colour palette. Fully clear indoors.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Transitions GEN S: Dynamic Lenses for Everyday Wear |url=https://www.transitions.com/en-us/products/transitions-gen-s/ |access-date=2025-09-16 |website=www.transitions.com}}</ref> * '''Transitions XTRActive (New Generation)'''- For those who need darker tints outdoors, including in very bright light or hot temperatures. Some versions even activate ''behind car windshields''. Indoors, typically a slight tint to cut glare.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Transitions XTRActive Lenses {{!}} Our Best Lens for Light Sensitivity |url=https://www.transitions.com/en-us/products/transitions-xtractive/ |access-date=2025-09-16 |website=www.transitions.com}}</ref> * '''Transitions XTRActive Polarized'''- Transitions XTRActive Polarized lenses combine photochromic (light-responsive) technology with polarization. They are designed for people who need extra glare control when outdoors, while maintaining clarity indoors.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Transitions XTRActive Polarized Lenses {{!}} Polarized Photochromic Lenses. |url=https://www.transitions.com/en-us/products/transitions-xtractive-polarized/ |access-date=2025-09-16 |website=www.transitions.com}}</ref> * '''Transitions Drivewear'''- Drivewear lenses are photochromic ''and'' polarized lenses specially designed for driving and outdoor conditions that frequently change (sunlight, glare, weather). They also shift among different colors depending on light and environment to improve contrast.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Transitions Drivewear Lenses {{!}} Best Lenses for Driving |url=https://www.transitions.com/en-us/products/drivewear-transitions/ |access-date=2025-09-16 |website=www.transitions.com}}</ref>

In recent years, Transitions lenses have become more widely available for purchase online, through eyeglass retailers and optical brands like Ray-Ban.com, GlassesUSA.com,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Transition lenses |url=https://www.glassesusa.com/transition-lenses |access-date=2025-09-16 |website=GlassesUSA.com |language=en}}</ref> Warby Parker and more.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Buy glasses with Transitions Lenses Online |url=https://www.transitions.com/en-us/where-to-buy/online/ |access-date=2025-09-16 |website=www.transitions.com}}</ref>

==References== {{Reflist|colwidth=30em}}

==External links== *{{URL|https://www.transitions.com}}

{{PPG Industries}}

Category:Essilor Category:PPG Industries Category:American companies established in 1990 Category:Manufacturing companies established in 1990 Category:Eyewear brands of the United States Category:Eyewear companies of the United States Category:Former joint ventures Category:1990 establishments in Florida