SUN VALLEY, Idaho--Smith Optics, based here, is extending its prescription program though a new partnership with Transitions Optical which will allow Smith Optics to now offer clear to dark photochromic prescription lenses.

Eric Carlson

Transitions lenses automatically adjust in response to ultraviolet light, from clear indoors to as dark as sunglasses in bright, glaring sunlight. As a result of the new partnership with Smith Optics, Transitions technology will now be available to Smith Optics prescription lens wearers in both Carbonic and lenses made from CR-39 monomer from PPG.

“Our partnership with Transitions is just another example of our commitment to providing leading edge technology to all our audiences, all the time,” according to Eric Carlson, director of product development for Smith Optics.

Dave Cole, general manger of the Americas, Transitions Optical, added, “Transitions Optical’s unique business model allows us to work with multiple lab and lens manufacturing partners to offer the widest availability of photochromic lenses. Our partnership with Smith Optics has provided yet another opportunity for us to expand our availability in the prescription lens category.

Smith recognizes the value of photochromics in its unique product line, and will now be offering clear to dark Transitions Lenses through the lab.”

Transitions Optical’s partnership with Smith Optics is the company’s second recent affiliation with a sunglass manufacturer. This spring, Transitions began supplying its photochromic technology to Oakley.

However, Oakley’s sunglass lenses, which are “activated by Transitions,” are special purpose tinted photochromic lenses as opposed to the “clear to dark” Transitions photochromic lenses used in Smith Optics’ sunglasses.

Smith Optics’ photochromic sunglasses originally debuted in 1984.  Spreading this leading-edge technology throughout their line, Smith introduced photochromic CR-39 sun lenses in 2005 and added photochromic polarized Carbonic sun lenses in the spring of 2006.

With the new additions, photochromic technology is now available in every category of Smith Optics’ offerings, from the Style collection to the active performance Interchangeable line to the growing Prescription series, according to the company.

The Smith Optics Rx program enables the pairing of 17 high-wrap sport fashion frame designs with corrected-vision lenses ranging from +2.00 to -5.00 sphere and +2.00 to -2.00 cylinder.