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Fast dark. Fast clear: Self-tinting lenses by ZEISS

Whether in the sun or indoors: 24 hours of excellent vision with ZEISS PhotoFusion X self-tinting lenses
24 November 2022

Are you looking for a new, favorite pair of glasses? Ones that will give you excellent vision in any light day or night? With self-tinting lenses that will give you 100% protection from the sun and harmful solar UV rays and will do away with having to change back to your conventional glasses? As of now, ZEISS is also offering the latest generation of self-tinting lenses in the well-known ZEISS quality. And the best thing is that PhotoFusion high- and mid-index self-tinting lenses turn up to 2 times faster* from dark to clear than previous photochromic lenses offered by ZEISS.

  • Fast dark. Fast clear: modern self-tinting lenses

Also known as photochromic lenses, self-tinting lenses have been around since the 1960's. The small, yet significant discovery made by chemist Stanley Donald Stookey and his colleague, William Armistead, made it possible to have spectacle lenses that react to UV rays remarkably well.

Ever since then, a lot has happened in view of the quality and performance of self-tinting lenses and they are extremely popular amongst many people who are dependent on their glasses and constantly going indoors and outdoors.

What are the differences in quality amongst self-tinting lenses?

With self-tinting lenses, the annoying need to change glasses is a thing of the past. Latest market research by ZEISS show that spectacle wearers however have very clear criteria regarding the quality and performance of self-tinting lenses:

  1. In order to be convenient, self-tinting lenses must adjust very quickly to the changes in light conditions.
  2. To be comfortable to use, self-tinting lenses must adjust very quickly to the changing light conditions.
  3. To attain optimal vision, self-tinting lenses must become really dark in sunlight and completely clear indoors.
  4. Self-tinting lenses must be effective and also offer 100% UV protection.
  5. To look good, self-tinting lenses should be available in attractive, harmonious tints.
  6. Self-tinting lenses should have a long life performance and high performance.

These are all qualities that ZEISS PhotoFusion X lenses have. In just 15 to 30 seconds, PhotoFusion® X lenses will darken in bright light or in the sun*. Indoors, they will clear up again in about 5 to 10 minutes*. They offer 100% protection against harmful UV rays. So it doesn’t matter if the sun is shining or if there are great big clouds in the sky: during the day, our eyes are exposed to UV rays. For many, it’s become routine to use skin creams with UV protection. But creams don’t protect your eyes or eyelids without an unpleasant burning sensation. Protecting your eyes – glasses with UV protection do it as a matter of course.   

How do self-tinting lenses work?

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A chemical reaction involving certain molecules is used as the basis for self-tinting lenses. The secret behind  PhotoFusion® X high- and mid-index self-tinting lenses is photo-active molecules which react quickly to changing light. When there are changes in the exposure to light, the molecules in the lens change, darkening or clearing the lens. By combining these molecules with ZEISS lenses, it has been possible to design a new generation of powerful self-tinting lenses.

For self-tinting lenses, the term “photochromic” (from the Greek words phos = light and chroma = colour) is also often used. This term is used to describe the same type of lenses.

Try it out for yourself – speak to your optician today.


ZEISS PhotoFusion X Lenses are available as  single vision lenses,  progressive lenses  and with all ZEISS coatings such as  DuraVision Platinum UV and DuraVision BlueProtect UV. They’re also available as ZEISS DriveSafe and ZEISS SmartLife Digital lenses.

  • Glasses with lenses in ZEISS PhotoFusion X colour blue with ZEISS DuraVision Flash mirror coating colour Ruby. Half of one lens is not fully darkened to show the difference in colour.
  • Glasses with lenses in ZEISS PhotoFusion X colour blue with ZEISS DuraVision Flash mirror coating colour Diamond. Half of one lens is not fully darkened to show the difference in colour.
  • Glasses with lenses in ZEISS PhotoFusion X colour brown with ZEISS DuraVision Flash mirror coating colour Amber. Half of one lens is not fully darkened to show the difference in colour.
  • Glasses with lenses in ZEISS PhotoFusion X colour Pioneer with ZEISS DuraVision Flash mirror coating Jade. Half of one lens is not fully darkened to show the difference in colour.

    ZEISS PhotoFusion X Pioneer & ZEISS DuraVision Flash Jade
  • Glasses with lenses in ZEISS PhotoFusion X colour blue with ZEISS DuraVision Flash mirror coating colour Sapphire. Half of one lens is not fully darkened to show the difference in colour.

    ZEISS PhotoFusion X blue & ZEISS DuraVision Flash Sapphire
  • Glasses with lenses in ZEISS PhotoFusion X colour blue with ZEISS DuraVision Flash mirror coating colour Ruby. Half of one lens is not fully darkened to show the difference in colour.

    ZEISS PhotoFusion X blue & ZEISS DuraVision Flash Ruby

  • Glasses with lenses in ZEISS PhotoFusion X colour blue with ZEISS DuraVision Flash mirror coating colour Diamond. Half of one lens is not fully darkened to show the difference in colour.

    ZEISS PhotoFusion X blue & ZEISS DuraVision Flash Diamond
  • Glasses with lenses in ZEISS PhotoFusion X colour brown with ZEISS DuraVision Flash mirror coating colour Amber. Half of one lens is not fully darkened to show the difference in colour.

    ZEISS PhotoFusion X brown & ZEISS DuraVision Flash Amber
  • Glasses with lenses in ZEISS PhotoFusion X colour Pioneer with ZEISS DuraVision Flash mirror coating Jade. Half of one lens is not fully darkened to show the difference in colour.

    ZEISS PhotoFusion X Pioneer and ZEISS DuraVision Flash Jade
  • Glasses with lenses in ZEISS PhotoFusion X colour blue with ZEISS DuraVision Flash mirror coating colour Sapphire. Half of one lens is not fully darkened to show the difference in colour.

    ZEISS PhotoFusion X blue and ZEISS DuraVision Flash Sapphire
Take your pick! ZEISS glasses for all light conditions – the colors of PhotoFusion® X.

Questions and answers on Self-tinting Lenses with PhotoFusion® X

A man wears glasses with coloured lenses and looks upwards.

  • Much of the UV radiation that activates self-tinting lenses is absorbed by car windshields, but not by the side windows. Fortunately, PhotoFusion® lenses retain more of their self-tinting performance inside automobiles than the existing generation by ZEISS. Nevertheless, some wearers may prefer the darker Extra Grey color or a dedicated pair of sunglasses for extended periods of driving.

  • Yes, PhotoFusion® X lenses will appear virtually clear indoors to wearers.

  • For general-purpose use - either indoors, outdoors, day, or night - PhotoFusion® X lenses offer excellent overall visual performance and glare protection. Nevertheless, under intense sunlight in environments with high temperatures, inside cars with windscreens that block most ultraviolet radiation, or in environments with intense reflective glare from surfaces such as water and snow, a dedicated pair of prescription sunglasses with a fixed tint will offer the best form of glare protection and visual comfort.

  • PhotoFusion® X  high- and mid-index self-tinting lenses provide very good speed, darkening up to 20% faster* than the existing generation by ZEISS - and fade back to clear up to twice as fast*.

  • Depending on the intensity of UV rays in the shadow, self-tinting lenses will be not as dark as in the full sun, but will always provide 100% solar UV protection.

  • Of course! They are as good as other clear lenses for night driving.

  • Yes, the base material already contains a 100% solar UV protection, whether the lens is clear or darkened. The wearer is always protected against solar UV rays.

  • Yes,  PhotoFusion® X lenses are virtually clear in their faded state, making them perfectly suitable for indoor and night-time use. Furthermore, when exposed to sunlight,  PhotoFusion® X lenses darken as needed to maintain sufficient glare control, darkening to near-sunglass tint in bright sunlight.

    In extremely sunny situations an extra pair of sunglasses may be useful.

  • Unlike clear lenses, PhotoFusion self-tinting lenses darken as ambient light levels increase. They are virtually clear indoors and darken to near sunglass-density under bright sunlight, providing glare protection and increased visual comfort.

  • PhotoFusion® X  high- and mid-index lenses rely on the latest advancements in self-tinting technology, offering very good performance. They darken up to 60 percent faster1 and fade back up to 2.5 times faster2 than previous photochromic lenses offered by ZEISS. Furthermore,  PhotoFusion® X lenses will offer strong and long lasting performance.
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  • 1

    Analyses by Technology and Innovation, Carl Zeiss Vision GmbH, DE 2021 in accordance to ISO 8980-3. Based on the average speed (%T/min) of activation from clear state to 30%T at 23°C in grey 1.60 index and polycarbonate in HC only form.
  • 2

    Testing by independent laboratory in USA, 2021 according to requirement in ISO 8980-3. Based on the average speed (%T/min) of fade-back from fully activated state to 80%T at 23°C in grey 1.50 index (CR607) HC only form.