![]() | This article contains promotional content .(April 2018) |
![]() | |
Company type | Subsidiary |
---|---|
Industry | Optical; Eyewear, eyeglass, Lenses |
Founded | 1990 |
Headquarters | , United States |
Area served | Worldwide |
Key people | Chrystel Barranger (President of Photochromics) |
Products | Photochromic lenses |
Number of employees | 320 |
Parent | Essilor |
Website | www |
Transitions Optical is a U.S.-based company known for manufacturing photochromic lenses, which darken on exposure to specific types of light. The company was founded in 1990. [1]
In 1991, Transitions Optical became the first company to commercialize and manufacture plastic photochromic lenses. [2] From inception the company has been a joint venture between PPG Industries (51%) and Essilor (49%). [3] [4] In April 2014, Essilor acquired the entire stake of PPG in Transitions. [5]
From 2009 to 2012, Transitions Optical was the title sponsor of the Transitions Championship, a PGA Tour event held at Innisbrook Resort and Golf Club in Palm Harbor, Florida. [6] [7] The firm was the Official Eyewear of the PGA Tour, Champions Tour and Nationwide Tour. [8] It also sponsors pro cycling Team Garmin-Cervelo. [9]
In April 2014, Essilor acquired the remaining stake from PPG, making Transitions Optical a wholly owned subsidiary of Essilor. [10]
In recent years, Transitions lenses have become more widely available for purchase online, through eyeglass retailers and optical brands like Ray-Ban.com, GlassesUSA.com [15] , Warby Parker and more. [16]