Photochromic Distance Glasses
44 styles · from £37.99 · free UK shipping
Photochromic Distance Glasses — the short version
Photochromic distance glasses give you one pair that does two jobs: clear vision for driving, walking and watching the game, then a sunglass-dark tint the moment you step outside. Every frame in this Eyeconic Direct collection is fitted with light-adaptive lenses, so there is nothing to swap, forget or carry.
The lenses react to ultraviolet light. Indoors, or behind a car windscreen at night, they stay almost completely clear. Step into daylight and they begin to darken within seconds, reaching their deepest shade in bright sun. Back inside, they fade back again — most people notice the change within a minute or two.
All of our photochromic distance glasses are made to prescription-strength standards, the same single-vision quality you would expect from the high street, but without the optician markup. Prices start at £37.99 with free UK delivery on every order.
What they are
Distance glasses with photochromic lenses — lenses that automatically darken outdoors and fade back to clear indoors. Corrected for far vision: driving, TV, sport and everyday walking.
Who they suit
Anyone short-sighted or long-sighted who is outdoors regularly and is tired of carrying a second pair of sunglasses. Also a sensible pick for drivers who want glare comfort without clip-ons.
How dark they get
In bright UK sunlight the lenses reach a medium sunglass shade. They react to UV, so on overcast days they sit lighter, and they stay clear at night and behind the windscreen (most windscreens block UV).
Strengths and prices
Full range of minus and plus distance strengths, from £37.99. Each listing shows the strengths in stock — if you are unsure which you need, your current prescription states it.
Delivery and returns
Free UK delivery and a 30-day refund policy on every pair. If the tint or the strength is not right, send them back within 30 days for a full refund.
Photochromic Distance Glasses — questions people ask
Do photochromic distance glasses work for driving?
Yes for general driving comfort — but note that most car windscreens block the UV that triggers darkening, so behind the windscreen they stay lighter than traditional sunglasses. Side windows and bright low sun still darken them, which reduces glare. Many drivers keep them as their everyday pair for exactly this reason.
How fast do the lenses change?
They begin to darken within seconds of UV exposure and are noticeably tinted within a minute. Fading back to clear indoors takes roughly two to three minutes depending on temperature.
Can I get prescription photochromic distance glasses?
Every pair we sell is made to prescription-strength single-vision standards. Choose your distance strength on the product page and the lenses are supplied ready to wear.
Do they work on cloudy days?
Partly. The lenses react to UV, so on bright but overcast days they darken slightly — useful for glare. On grey winter days they may stay almost clear, which is exactly what you want for comfortable vision.
More from Eyeconic Direct
- photochromic glasses at Eyeconic Direct
- photochromic reading glasses
- plain distance glasses
- our photochromic glasses guide
Free UK delivery and a 30-day refund policy on every pair from Eyeconic Direct.