Transitions · Independent opticians, Liverpool
Transitions lenses in Liverpool, every type and every colour
Clear indoors, dark outdoors, one pair of glasses. We fit every Transitions lens made, on any lens we sell, and we will tell you straight which one suits your day.
- ★★★★★5.0 on Google
- Usually ready in 48 hours
- Gen S · XTRActive · Drivewear
The Transitions range, explained honestly
- Transitions Gen S, the everyday lens and the fastest yet. Fully clear indoors, dark in seconds outside, back to clear in about two minutes. Eight colours: grey, brown, graphite green, sapphire, amethyst, amber, emerald and ruby. Does not darken much behind a windscreen.
- Transitions XTRActive New Generation, darker outdoors, a light tint indoors, and it does react in the car because it responds to visible light as well as UV. For people who are outside a lot or sensitive to light.
- Transitions XTRActive Polarized, the same as above plus polarisation as it darkens, so glare off water, wet roads and car bonnets is cut. The closest a light-reactive lens gets to real sunglasses.
- Transitions Drivewear, a polarised driving lens that changes from olive green to copper to dark brown with the light. Never fully clear, so it is a second pair for the car, not an everyday lens.
- Transitions Style Mirrors, a coloured mirror finish on top of the light-reactive lens for people who want the look as well as the function.
All of them are available on single vision lenses and on every varifocal we fit, from Essilor Varilux to Nikon Seemax, Zeiss and Hoya. If your current glasses are the older Transitions Signature or Vantage, Gen S and XTRActive Polarized are their replacements and we will match the colour.
Gen S, eight colours
Clear indoors, then the colour you choose outdoors. Pick one to suit your frame or your eyes.
XTRActive, three colours
Darker outdoors, a light tint indoors, and it works in the car. Also available polarised.
Style Mirrors
A coloured mirror finish over the light-reactive lens, for people who want the look as well as the function.
Which one should you have?
Indoors most of the day, outside in between
Gen S. Fully clear inside, quick to react, and the colour choice lets it suit your frame.
Outdoors a lot, or light-sensitive, or you want them to work in the car
XTRActive New Generation, or XTRActive Polarized if glare bothers you. Accept a very light tint indoors in exchange.
Driving is the problem
Drivewear as a dedicated driving pair, or XTRActive Polarized if you want one pair for everything.
We show you real samples in the shop and outside on Park Road, so you see the speed and the colour for yourself before you decide.
At night and behind the windscreen
All Transitions lenses are clear at night, so they are fine for night driving. For night glare, add a driving anti-reflective coating: see glasses for night driving. Want full sunglasses as well? See prescription sunglasses.
Common questions
Transitions, answered
Which Transitions do you sell?
Every current type: Gen S in all colours, XTRActive New Generation, XTRActive Polarized, Drivewear, and the Style Mirrors. If Transitions make it, we can fit it, on Essilor, Nikon, Zeiss or Hoya lenses.
Do Transitions work in the car?
Gen S darkens only a little behind a windscreen because the glass blocks the UV that activates it. XTRActive and XTRActive Polarized react to visible light as well, so they do darken in the car. Drivewear is a polarised driving lens that is never fully clear and is made for the road.
How fast are they?
Gen S is the fastest Transitions yet: dark in seconds outdoors and back to clear in around two minutes, noticeably quicker than older generations.
Can I have Transitions in varifocals?
Yes, in any varifocal design we fit, including Varilux XR and Nikon Seemax. They add to the lens price and we tell you the figure before you decide.
Do Transitions replace sunglasses?
XTRActive Polarized gets close: very dark outdoors, polarised against glare, clear indoors. Gen S is a good everyday lens but not a substitute for dedicated sunglasses in strong sun. We will tell you honestly which suits you.
Are Transitions included in the varifocal offer?
Yes. Transitions XTRActive is included in the October varifocal offer, worth up to £497, which ends on 31 October 2026. Ask when you book.
See them change for yourself
Book an eye test on Park Road and try the samples outside.
Written by Gavin Winstanley, who has been making eyewear on Park Road since 1998 and fits the varifocals himself. Last updated .