Photochromic Lenses: How Do They Work?

Photochromic lenses are a practical solution for anyone moving between indoors and outdoors. Their key feature? They adapt automatically to light.

Handmade acetate eyewear seen on a man in Uluwatu in Bali fitted by Maison Mata opticians for artisan style.

How does it work?

These lenses contain molecules that react to UV rays.

  • Outdoors: under sunlight, they darken to protect your eyes.
  • Indoors: without UV exposure, they return to clear.

This reversible process repeats itself each time you step in or out.

Handmade rectangular acetate sunglasses for women fitted by opticians in Uluwatu in Bali for refined fashion style.

Benefits

  • Full UVA/UVB protection,
  • More comfort and less glare,
  • One pair of glasses is enough, no need to switch between prescription glasses and sunglasses.
Sunglasses styled on a man at Canggu beach in Bali adjusted by professional optometrists for sunny coastal comfort.

Things to know

  • Activation depends on UV intensity: they darken less behind a car windshield.
  • The clear/dark transition usually takes 30 seconds to 2 minutes.
Photochromic polarized optical lenses with blue-light protection crafted by Maison Mata in Bali.

👉 At Maison Mata, we offer photochromic lenses from leading brands (Zeiss, Hoya, Essilor), available with or without prescription. Visit our boutiques in Canggu, Ubud, Seminyak, or Sanur for a free eye exam and advice on our technical lenses.

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