Cruising the Open Roads with SunSync Drive XT Lenses
National Sunglasses Day is in June and a great time to remind patients of how important UV protection is for their eyes and skin around the eyes, especially as the warmer summer months approach. Fans of photochromic lenses love having both prescription glasses and sunglasses in one convenient pair but may notice that the lenses do not get dark enough in the car. The reason for this boils down to how the lenses are designed to work.
Most Photochromics Need Ultraviolet Rays
Harmful UVA/UVB rays are an invisible threat to humans because they are just below the wavelengths of visible light. Overexposure to UV can have adverse health effects such as skin cancer and cataracts,1 but wearing sunscreen and sunglasses with 100% UV protection can go a long way in protecting your skin and eyes. Full activation (turning dark outdoors) of traditional photochromics requires exposure to UV light, because the lenses include light-sensitive molecules that change their structure. The vast majority of modern vehicle windshields, however, block UV rays. That’s a good thing, right? Absolutely, but not if you want if you want to wear traditional photochromics. The solution, of course, is to always carry a pair of sunglasses with UV protection and wear them while driving, but there’s another option for patients who don’t want to switch glasses in the car—SunSync® Drive XT, a transformational leap forward in photochromic performance.
The Extra Light-Reactive Lens for the Car
SunSync® Drive XT Light-Reactive Lenses turn dark when exposed to UV light, but unlike traditional photochromics, SunSync Drive XT responds to both UV and visible light. This means they darken from light that comes through the windshield and the side windows. Because they do not respond to artificial light such as interior lighting, the lenses will return to clear indoors and clear at night. SunSync Drive XT is the darkest outdoor color in our photochromic line and also provides the best clarity indoors. In addition to excellent in-car color retention, benefits to SunSync Drive XT include:
- Fast activation
- 100% UV protection
- Targeted blue light filtration
- Exceptional durability
- Outstanding glare reduction
- One-year 100% satisfaction guarantee for VSP members
Too Good to Be True?
Darker outside? Clarity inside? SunSync Drive XT is an all-around great photochromic lens that includes in-car color, so why would a patient choose SunSync® Elite Light-Reactive Lenses over SunSync Drive XT? The answer is speed. The primary difference between Sun Sync Drive XT and the SunSync Elite products is the ultra-fast fade back speed. Because Drive XT responds to both UV and visible light, it takes longer for the lenses to go from dark to clear. How much longer is difficult to determine since fade-back speed of all photochromics involves variables like temperature, UV exposure, and the lens material, but it’s still faster than the top-selling brand.
In conclusion, if a patient is more interested in lenses that change from dark to clear ultra-fast, then SunSync Elite may be a better option. SunSync Elite offers faster fade-back and activation speeds than SunSync Drive XT, but SunSync Drive XT will get darker in the activated state and retain a tint behind the windshield. What’s right for patients depends on preference but both lenses provide excellent UV protection, something we all need to consider. Read more about the benefits of SunSync Drive XT.
1. Eye Health and Wellness, VSP® Vision Care