By Andrew Karp
Group Editor, Lenses & Technology

FOOTHILL RANCH, Calif.--Oakley (NYSE: OO) and Transitions Optical are partnering to offer new Oakley Transitions and Oakley Iridium with Transitions ophthalmic lenses.

The new lens offerings combine the technologies of Transitions V with ESP photochromic technology, Oakley Iridium lens coating and Oakley Plutonite lens material. The partnership with Transitions marks the first time photochromics have been integrated with Oakley prescription optics.

Oakley Why 8.2 frame with Oakley Iridium with Transitions lens.

“This partnership offers a valuable opportunity we expect will further extend Oakley’s growing business in prescription eyewear,” said Oakley president Colin Baden. “By combining the proven technologies of both companies, we are able to offer a world first: prescription lenses that blend Oakley’s world-class lens material and lens coatings with the breakthroughs of Transitions photochromic technology.”

“We see this as an excellent opportunity to complement Transitions’ industry leadership and continue our commitment to growing the photochromics category,” said Dave Cole, Transitions’ general manager of the Americas. He described the two companies’ deal as “a natural partnership that enables us to build on our widespread ability to provide even more choices in prescription lenses.”

The new Oakley Transitions lenses, which are virtually clear indoors, darken when exposed to direct sunlight and achieve an 84 percent light absorption. Oakley Iridium with Transitions lenses offer a slightly tinted appearance in the inactivated state and achieve a minimum of 89 percent light absorption when exposed to sunlight. Available for frames with higher wrap architecture, Oakley Iridium with Transitions feature superheated metal oxides that are fused to the lens surface at the molecular level. This proprietary Oakley technique achieves an optically uniform layer of filtering that reduces glare and tunes light transmission to optimize performance in specific environments. The new lens includes an antireflective coating to eliminate back surface reflections.

The new lenses are made of Plutonite, a proprietary Oakley material that inherently blocks 100 percent of all UVA, UVB, and UVC light. The lens material is highly resistant to impact, according to Oakley.

Oakley Transitions lenses will be available in gray and brown. Oakley Iridium with Transitions will be available in black, emerald and gold.