Sunsensors vs. Transitions

**skirk1975** · 03-19-2010, 04:39 PM

Couple of questions...

1. Now that the FTC has put the "smack-down" on Transitions, do you think Sunsensores will be a more viable competitor?

2. What is your opinion of Sunsensores vs. Transitions?

3. What are all the changing lenses out there? Transitions, Sunsensors, colormatics and ?????

Thank you all! :bbg:

**pezfaerie** · 03-19-2010, 04:46 PM

1. Nope the Transitions name is imbeded in patients minds. You say color-changing they say Transitions.
2. IMO Sunsensors change at a slower rate and retain more of their color indoors rather than looking clear.
3. Transitions,Sunsensors, LifeRx,Drivewear,Colormatic?,instashades....thats all I know of

**ronnie daniels** · 03-19-2010, 05:53 PM

isnt the big E buying Signet and along with it the Sunsensor or is that not part of the kodak brand?

**mshimp** · 03-19-2010, 07:52 PM

now with the new extra-actives available I believe sunsensors will beat out this product

**Judy Canty** · 03-19-2010, 08:51 PM

Originally Posted by ronnie daniels

isnt the big E buying Signet and along with it the Sunsensor or is that not part of the kodak brand?

SunSensors is PPG.

**YrahG** · 03-19-2010, 09:26 PM

Originally Posted by Judy Canty

SunSensors is PPG.

It's Corning.

**Judy Canty** · 03-20-2010, 10:13 AM

Sorry....I'm sick...

**FVCCHRIS** · 03-20-2010, 08:36 PM

Aren't all sunsensor lenses of any type(s.v.-bif-trif) all 1.56 mid index? If so that would be one possible tool to promote it VS Transitions CR-39. Sunsensors are definitely a little slower and retain more color indoors as pezfarie stated. Myself, I think Extra-Active was a poor choice for Transitions to use, too much confusion with the older product with the same name. When it comes to an all around photochromic lens I think patients will choose the lens with the fastest change rate coupled with the greatest light to dark range. The Transitions lenses already being dispensed(T-6) do that well. If they want a little more color indoors add a light tint. We've been doing that for a long time now with good results, Chris.

**ilanh** · 03-20-2010, 11:53 PM

It also depends what the patient wants. For example, Sunsensor retains a little tint indoors. Some people actually prefer that. In my opinion, they turn darker outdoors than Transitions. I've worn both and was very happy with Sunsensor. The only downside is that sunsensor comes only in 1.56 and we can't use it in any Poly jobs (which is most of what we do). There is also a photochromic that's made by VisionEase called "LifeRx"; I've seen a few of these but haven't made a comparison test yet to Transitions.

**Judy Canty** · 03-21-2010, 10:09 AM

If memory serves, SunSensors HPC is available in poly and 1.60.

**braheem24** · 05-08-2010, 02:26 PM

sunsensors+ is also available as a drillable 1.56, I surfaced a pair from Augen optics yesterday an was very impressed with the results.

indoors was just as clear as transitions before going outside. outdoors sunsensors+ was maybe 5% lighter then transitions but was a more soothing gray as opposed to the transitions gray which looked blue in comparison. back indoors sunsensors retained ~10% of the color a few minutes longer then the transitions.

If I get a chance I'll try to make a video and upload it to youtube, I'm getting sunsensors+ PAL drillable 1.56/1.60 $35 cheaper then a comprable transitions pal.

**essegn** · 05-19-2010, 11:28 AM

Sunsensors is available in 1.6 and 1.67.. The material differs from 1.56 - less initial tint and nearly the same ability and speed of photochromatic function as Transitions (6th gen)

**Chris Ryser** · 05-19-2010, 12:35 PM

And here is a whole load of them made in China:

http://www.made-in-china.com/products-search/hot-china-products/Photochromic_Lens.html

**WFruit** · 05-19-2010, 01:19 PM

Sunsensors is by Corning. Currently distributed in the USA by:

Signet Armorlite (Essilor)
Polycore
Augen
Shore (FSV only, Essilor)

We sell both Transitions and Sunsensors. So far it seems to be a matter of personal preference on the part of our accounts. The Sunsensors are much less expensive though.

**fjpod** · 05-20-2010, 05:50 AM

I believe SunSensor has a slight advantage when driving a car.

**braheem24** · 05-20-2010, 07:03 AM

Originally Posted by WFruit

Sunsensors is by Corning. Currently distributed in the USA by:

Signet Armorlite (Essilor)
Polycore
Augen
Shore (FSV only, Essilor)

state optical in fl for the southeast.

**LabOni** · 07-30-2010, 07:38 PM

Originally Posted by ilanh

It also depends what the patient wants. For example, Sunsensor retains a little tint indoors. Some people actually prefer that. In my opinion, they turn darker outdoors than Transitions. I've worn both and was very happy with Sunsensor. The only downside is that sunsensor comes only in 1.56 and we can't use it in any Poly jobs (which is most of what we do). There is also a photochromic that's made by VisionEase called "LifeRx"; I've seen a few of these but haven't made a comparison test yet to Transitions.

Life-Rx = Bad delamination .... very bad

**mshimp** · 07-30-2010, 10:16 PM

laboni when was the last time you have used life rx ? There was a time that I stop using there liferx due to multiple delaminations, now Ive used there new and improved ones without any problems.

**LabOni** · 07-31-2010, 06:31 AM

my biggest anger with vision ease was the fact that they took forever to admit it was something wrong with the original life-rx and kept telling us it was something we were doing wrong .

**jefe** · 07-31-2010, 08:37 AM

I've dispensed a few dozen pairs of LifeRx within the last 1 1/2 years, and I've had no issues with delamination.

**LENNY** · 07-31-2010, 08:58 AM

You just cant dispense LifeRx in the 80 degree weather!
Doe Not Change!

**PipeDrummer24** · 07-31-2010, 10:04 AM

I have been working with LifeRx for 4 years now, and while I cannot speak to others' experience with it, personally, I have not seen any long-term problems with delamination. There was a short period during my time with LC that we had received a bad batch and many lenses seemed to be coming back delaminated, but those lenses were recalled and replaced, and I have not seen a single problem with it since. Two things I like about LifeRx vs. Transitions: 1) the LifeRx gray color is more of a "true" gray than the Transitions--I have never really liked the purple-ish hue that accompanies the Transitions gray, and 2) in the few side-by-side tests I've done, the LifeRx deactivates MUCH quicker than the Transitions. Always a plus, in my book. As for the SunSensors or Instashades, my experience with them is very limited so I cannot intelligently comment on either one.

**mshimp** · 07-31-2010, 10:06 AM

niether do the transitions! When it is hot and humid (adding to the heat index), none of them fair well.

**Jubilee** · 07-31-2010, 10:11 AM

I recently had to remake a slightly more than a year old LifeRx pair due to delamination. Perhaps it was an older batch.. but it was not pretty.

**FVCCHRIS** · 07-31-2010, 12:32 PM

I don't think I can recall ever having a problem with Life-Rx lenses delaminating. I do think they're more in line with Sunsensors when comparing overall performance.