The first photochromic lenses appeared in 1964, and quickly drew interest for their unique ability to darken in sunlight and fade back indoors. However, the first generation of photochromic lenses came with cosmetic and functional barriers – two of the largest being that it took them about an hour to fade and they never got fully clear.

Fast forward more than half a century, and the technology has greatly expanded, as have the types of light-reactive lenses available. Reaction speeds, darkness, clarity, and overall aesthetics have all improved greatly, and there are now four different types of light-reactive lenses available: standard, extra reactive, ultra-fast, and polarized.

Photochromics are a great choice for a variety of your patients. But sometimes, picking the right frame for a light-reactive lens can be a bit tricky. As an optician, your patients look to you to put them in a pair of glasses that fit right, suit their lifestyle, and of course, help them see better.

To help you help them, we asked 20-year optical veteran Chris Nichols, ABO, for her advice on selecting the ideal frame for a photochromic.