| Type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Optical; Eyewear; Eyeglass |
| Founded | 1990 |
| Headquarters | Pinellas Park, Florida, United States |
| Area served | Worldwide |
| Key people |
Rick Elias, Chief Executive Officer and President Dave Cole, Chief Operating Officer |
| Products | Prescription eyeglass lenses; photochromic lenses; sun lenses |
| Employees | 1,200 (2009) |
| Website | www.transitions.com |
Transitions Optical was founded in 1990.[1] In 1991, Transitions Optical became the first company to commercialize and manufacture plastic photochromic lenses.[2]
Transitions lenses are also called adaptive lenses. They are clear indoors and at night and automatically darken outdoors as light conditions change. They block 100% of UV rays and help to enhance contrast and reduce glare.[3] In addition to original Transitions lenses that are for everyday wear,[4][5] Transitions Optical also makes Transitions XTRActive lenses that change from light tint indoors to very dark outdoors and are only available in North America,[6] and Transitions SOLFX sun lenses that go from dark to darker outdoors depending on the sun and are available worldwide.[7][8]
Throughout the 1990s, Transitions Optical established offices in Europe, Asia/Pacific, South America, Australia and Canada. Transitions Optical has more than 1,200 employees worldwide and offices throughout 15 countries.[9]
The Transitions Healthy Sight for Life Fund supports individuals, as well as global, regional and local organizations, that aim to create awareness about the importance of proper eyecare and eyewear, as well as those organizations that are working to eliminate preventable blindness.[10]
Since 2009, Transitions Optical has been the title sponsor of the Transitions Championship, a PGA Tour event held at Innisbrook Resort and Golf Club in Palm Harbor, Florida.[11][12] Transitions Optical is the Official Eyewear of the PGA Tour, Champions Tour and Nationwide Tour.[13] The company also sponsors pro cycling Team Garmin-Cervelo.[14]
In addition to partnering with a number of organizations worldwide, Transitions Optical North American is affiliated with several industry organizations, including the American Academy of Ophthalmology, the Vision Council,[15] the American Optometric Association,[16] the World Council of Optometry,[17] and the Optical Laboratories Association.[18]