FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact
Courtney Myers
Mary O’Hara
Euro RSCG Worldwide PR
Transitions Optical
412 456 4707 tel
800 533 2081 tel 7431 ext
courtney.myers@eurorscg.com
mohara@transitions.com
Introducing New Transitions® Vantage™ Lenses with Variable Polarization
ORLANDO, Jan. 30, 2012 – Transitions Optical, Inc. launched the latest breakthrough in
adaptive lens technology – variable polarization – today at Transitions Academy, its annual
education event for industry professionals. Transitions® Vantage™ lenses are the first and only
lenses designed to both darken and polarize upon UV exposure to deliver noticeably crisper,
sharper vision, even in the brightest outdoor glare.
Transitions Vantage lenses are everyday photochromic lenses that start out virtually clear and
non-polarized indoors; outdoors they not only adapt to changing light but also increase
polarization as they darken, optimizing the angle at which light reaches the eyes to help control
glare and light scatter.
Until now, polarization only existed primarily as a fixed film in sun lenses. Transitions Vantage
lenses employ a new technology different than current photochromics and polarization. While
current photochromic molecules darken in random patterns, creating an even tint, the
photochromic dyes in Transitions Vantage lenses not only darken, but also align to create
polarization. This means that Transitions Vantage lenses will have a variable level of
polarization efficiency depending on the amount of UV exposure – the darker the lens, the more
polarization efficiency there is. The lighter the lens, the less polarization there will be.
“Variable polarization is what’s next in a history of firsts that Transitions Optical has brought to
the industry,” explained John Ligas, director research and development, Transitions Optical, Inc.
during the launch event, which was attended by over 1,300 industry professionals. “In the past,
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Transitions Optical, Inc. 9251 Belcher Road Pinellas Park Florida 33782 727-545-0400 tel 727-546-4732 fax
www.Transitions.com
Transitions® Vantage™ lenses – 2
the only photochromic variable was clear to dark. Transitions Vantage lenses not only break the
paradigm that tint is the only photochromic variable, but they also challenge conventional
thinking that a clear lens can’t become polarized and a polarized lens can’t become clear. We’re
quite literally making the impossible possible.”
Transitions Vantage Lenses: Exploring the Possibilities
Transitions Vantage lenses are a part of an everyday product offering – meant to be worn
indoors and outdoors – which is complemented by a full line of performance sunwear products.
With added anti-reflective (AR) coating, Transitions Vantage lenses become the only everyday
lenses available that help to manage all four types of glare.
“Transitions Vantage lenses give consumers additional benefits they have never been able to
have in a clear lens,” said Alexis Cardona, chief marketing officer, Transitions Optical. “We are
bringing adaptability and responsiveness to an area of the optical market that formerly was
fixed, further helping enhance the vision and lives of patients. This will provide significant
opportunity to increase business for the eyecare professional and all of our trade partners.”
Wearer Experience Counts
In a wearers testi, comparing Transitions Vantage lenses to Transitions® VI lenses, Transitions
Vantage lenses rated high in satisfaction for indoor and outdoor use and were preferred on all
key polarization benefits.
“Transitions Optical has created and developed proprietary measurement and testing tools and
techniques that have set the standard for the photochromic category – but we will be the first to
tell you that trying to compare light transmission numbers isn’t going to give you the full story,”
explained Ligas. “There are too many factors that impact how the wearer actually sees, which is
why we don’t just test our products in controlled lab settings, we also use consumer wearer
testing across a variety of temperature and lighting conditions to ensure an enhanced wearer
experience.”
These results show that the added benefit of polarization does make a difference to the wearer
experience:

8 out of 10 photochromic patients were satisfied with the outdoor experience of new
Transitions Vantage lenses.
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Transitions® Vantage™ lenses – 3

9 out of 10 photochromic patients were satisfied with the indoor clarity of new Transitions
Vantage lenses.

Outdoors, on all of the key polarization benefits – visual contrast, crispness of vision and
sharpness of vision – Transitions Vantage lenses are preferred over Transitions VI
lenses.
Product Availability and Support
Transitions Vantage lenses will be available for consumer purchase, exclusively in grey, in a
variety of materials and designs in May 2012. Eyecare professionals should check with their
laboratory or lens manufacturer for details.
Leading up to that time, Transitions Optical will host a variety of events and activities to help
industry professionals understand the product and how to recommend it to patients. In
February, eyecare professionals will be able to sign up to receive free support materials after
completing an online quiz at www.TransitionsVantage.com. Materials will be mailed in March.
“This is not just the next generation of Transitions lenses, this is a whole new area for adaptive
lenses,” added Cardona. “We are working with eyecare professionals to create new language
and a new way to communicate the benefits of adaptive lenses and now variable polarization to
patients.”
ABOUT TRANSITIONS OPTICAL
Since Transitions Optical, headquartered in Pinellas Park, Fla., was founded more than 20
years ago, the company has been driven by an innovative spirit and a commitment to
partnership. As the leading provider of photochromics to optical manufacturers, Transitions
Optical offers state-of-the-art light management technology in virtually every major lens design
and material encompassing a family of everyday adaptive lenses and performance sun lenses.
Everyday lens options include Transitions® lenses, which provide the optimal balance between
outdoor darkness and indoor clarity; Transitions® XTRActive™ lenses which provide superior
darkness outdoors; and the revolutionary Transitions® Vantage™ lenses, the first and only
photochromic lenses to darken and polarize outdoors.
Transitions Optical’s performance sunwear line includes a range of products customized in
partnership with other best-in-class brands. Understanding that the right equipment can provide
an advantage, the products are all designed to improve depth perception, clarify color and
increase contrast for specific outdoor activities.
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Transitions® Vantage™ lenses – 4
Transitions Optical is dedicated to promoting healthy sight worldwide and to supporting its
partners and optical professionals with tools, programs and resources to aid in their individual
efforts and help strengthen industry growth. For more information, visit Transitions.com/Pro, or
contact Transitions Optical Customer Service at (800) 848-1506 (United States) or (877) 2542590 (Canada).
# # #
Transitions Optical, Inc. launched the latest
breakthrough in adaptive lens technology –
variable polarization – during the 16th annual
Transitions Academy. Transitions® Vantage™
lenses are the first and only lenses designed to
both darken and polarize upon UV exposure to
deliver noticeably crisper, sharper vision, even in
the brightest outdoor glare.
NOTE: For additional information or images, please contact Christina Wetzel at
christina.wetzel@eurorscg.com or (412) 456-4301.
i
Transitions Vantage lenses wearers test, conducted by Q Research Solutions, Inc., May/June 2011.