Lenses that darken in sunlight and clear indoors — no more carrying a second pair of sunglasses. Add photochromic coating to any prescription at Charm Optical.
Watch the lenses darken and clear in real time. These demos show the technology behind photochromic coating — the same type of coating we add to your prescription at Charm Optical.
Modern photochromic lenses darken in about 30 seconds outdoors and clear in under 2 minutes when you step inside. No more waiting around with dark glasses on.
The coating reacts to UV intensity — stronger sun means darker lenses. On a cloudy day, they stay lightly tinted. Your eyes get exactly the protection they need.
Not just grey anymore. Photochromic lenses come in multiple colours so your tint matches your personal style, not just your prescription.
Grey, brown, and green are our standard colours — always in stock. Amethyst, amber, emerald, sapphire, and other fashion tints available as special orders. Come see the standard colours change in person at Charm Optical before you decide.
Photochromic lenses contain molecules that react to ultraviolet light. When you step outside, UV rays cause the molecules to change shape and darken the lens automatically. When you go back inside, the molecules revert and the lens clears. No switches, no buttons — the lens does everything on its own.
The result? One pair of glasses that works as both regular glasses and sunglasses. No more carrying a second pair, no more squinting when you walk outside, no more forgetting your sunglasses in the car. At Charm Optical in south Edmonton, we add photochromic coating to any prescription for an additional $125.
Photochromic coating isn't a separate product — it's an add-on to the lenses you're already getting. Whether you wear single vision, progressive lenses, or bifocals, we can add photochromic coating during manufacturing. You can even combine it with blue light filtering and anti-reflective coating for the ultimate all-in-one lens.
Edmonton's light changes constantly — bright summer sun, winter glare off snow, cloudy fall days, and that blinding spring thaw. Photochromic lenses handle all of it. They darken more on bright days and stay lighter when it's overcast. In winter, the cold air actually makes them darken faster and deeper — which is exactly when you need the most UV protection from snow glare.
Charm Optical is located at 5035 Ellerslie Rd SW, Edmonton, AB T6X 1X2 — right in the heart of south Edmonton. We serve patients from Ellerslie, Summerside, Heritage Valley, Rutherford, Windermere, Walker, Callaghan, Allard, and Cavanagh. Come see the photochromic demos in person — watch the lenses change in front of you before you decide.
Single Vision + Photochromic
Starting at $99 + $125 photochromic coating. Clear to dark, everyday wear.
Progressive + Photochromic
Starting at $350 + $125 photochromic coating. Multifocal + auto-darkening in one pair.
Blue Light + Photochromic Combo
Screen protection indoors, sun protection outdoors. Special order — pricing varies by lens type.
Short answer: not really — and this is the one thing you need to know before buying photochromic lenses.
Standard photochromic lenses react to UV light to darken. The problem? Your car's windshield already blocks most UV light — that's what windshields are designed to do. So when you're behind the wheel on a bright sunny day, your photochromic lenses stay mostly clear even though the sun is blinding you.
This is the single biggest complaint people have with photochromic lenses, and most stores don't mention it until after you've paid. We tell you upfront because we'd rather you know now than be disappointed later.
The trick: Roll your window down for 30–60 seconds while driving. The direct UV exposure will activate the lenses and darken them. Once they're dark, roll the window back up — the lenses will stay dark for several minutes before gradually clearing. It's not a perfect solution, but it works in a pinch.
Other options:
1. Keep clip-on sunshades or sunglasses in the car — photochromic lenses work perfectly outdoors (walking, sports, errands). Just use a backup for driving.
2. Get a separate pair of prescription sunglasses — polarized prescription sunglasses are the best option for driving comfort. Some of our patients get photochromic for daily wear and polarized sunglasses for the car.
Come visit us at 5035 Ellerslie Rd SW and we'll help you figure out the best setup for your lifestyle.
"Transitions" is a brand name — like "Kleenex" is to tissue. Photochromic is the actual technology that makes lenses darken in sunlight. Transitions (made by Essilor) is the most marketed photochromic brand, but they're not the only option. At Charm Optical, we carry high-quality photochromic lenses that deliver the same auto-darkening UV protection. The technology is the same — molecules that react to UV light. You're paying for the name, not better glass.
Photochromic coating is an additional $125 on top of your lens price. So a complete pair of single vision glasses with photochromic coating starts at $224 ($99 base + $125 coating). Progressive lenses with photochromic start at $475 ($350 + $125). We direct bill insurance for Alberta Blue Cross, Canada Life, Desjardins, Great-West Life, AISH, and Alberta Works — so your out-of-pocket cost is often much less.
If you move between indoors and outdoors regularly and don't want to carry two pairs of glasses — yes. Photochromic lenses eliminate the cost and hassle of owning separate prescription sunglasses. They also block 100% of UV rays when fully darkened. In Edmonton, they're especially practical because of winter snow glare and summer sun. The one caveat: they don't darken well behind a car windshield (the glass blocks UV). If that matters to you, mention it to our opticians — we have options that partially activate behind glass.
Current-generation photochromic lenses darken within 30 to 60 seconds when exposed to UV light and clear within 2 to 5 minutes indoors. Cold weather actually makes them darken faster and deeper — good news for Edmonton winters. Performance has improved dramatically compared to the slow-changing photochromic lenses from 10+ years ago. Come see a demo in person at our store.
Yes — this is one of our most popular combinations. You get multifocal correction (distance + computer + reading) and automatic sun protection in one pair. Photochromic coating can be combined with progressive lenses, single vision, or bifocals. You can even add blue light filtering on top of that for the ultimate all-in-one lens. The coating is applied during manufacturing, so there's no extra wait time.
Our standard photochromic colours are grey, brown, and green — these are always in stock and ready to order:
- Grey — the most popular choice. Neutral colour perception, no colour distortion. Good all-rounder for everyday wear.
- Brown — enhances contrast and depth perception. Great for outdoor activities, sports, and driving.
- Green — a balance of both. Reduces glare while keeping colours natural. Classic look.
Other colours like amethyst, amber, emerald, and sapphire are available as special orders — we need to verify availability before ordering. If you want a fashion tint, come in and we'll check what's available for your prescription. We keep demo lenses in store so you can see the standard colours darken in person before you decide.
Charm Optical is located at 5035 Ellerslie Rd SW, Edmonton, AB T6X 1X2 — in south Edmonton with free parking. We serve patients from Ellerslie, Summerside, Heritage Valley, Rutherford, Windermere, Walker, Callaghan, Allard, and Cavanagh. Photochromic lenses require an in-store fitting — book an eye exam online or call (780) 490-0090. Open Monday to Friday 11am–7pm, Saturday 11am–5pm.
Yes — cold weather is actually where photochromic lenses perform best. Two things happen in the cold that work in your favour:
1. They get darker. Photochromic molecules move more slowly in cold air, which means they stay in their darkened state longer and reach a deeper tint. Research shows lenses are roughly 11–15% darker in cold temperatures compared to warm weather.
2. Snow reflects up to 80% of UV radiation — more than double what grass or pavement reflects. That extra UV bouncing off the snow triggers the lenses to darken even more intensely. The combination of cold air + snow reflection creates the strongest darkening conditions possible.
The trade-off: When you walk inside from the cold, the lenses take longer to clear — potentially several minutes instead of the usual 1–2 minutes. In extreme Edmonton cold (-20 to -40C), clearing time can be 3–5 times slower than in summer. So you might be sitting in a restaurant with slightly tinted glasses for a few minutes. Not a dealbreaker for most people, but worth knowing.
Bottom line: If you live in Edmonton and deal with winter glare off snow for 5+ months a year, photochromic lenses are one of the best investments you can make for daily comfort. Come talk to us at Charm Optical — we'll show you exactly how they perform.
Photochromic coating gradually loses its effectiveness over time. Most photochromic lenses perform well for 2 to 3 years of daily wear. After that, you'll notice they don't get as dark outdoors and may take longer to clear indoors. The coating doesn't "break" suddenly — it's a slow fade.
This is normal and happens with all photochromic lenses regardless of brand or price. The UV-reactive molecules undergo thousands of darkening-clearing cycles and eventually wear out. When you notice the performance dropping off, it's time for new lenses — which is usually around the same time your prescription is due for an update anyway.
If you're getting new lenses every 2 years for prescription changes, the photochromic coating will still be performing well when you replace them. Come see us at Charm Optical for a quick check — we can tell you if your current coating is still doing its job.
We keep photochromic demo lenses in the store — step outside with them and watch them darken in front of you. It's the best way to decide. We're at 5035 Ellerslie Rd SW in south Edmonton. Browse our frames online, then come visit for your fitting.
Last updated: April 2026
