Transitions Optical is a U.S.-based company known for manufacturing

photochromic lenses A photochromic lens is an optical lens that darkens on exposure to light of sufficiently high frequency, most commonly ultraviolet (UV) radiation. In the absence of activating light, the lenses return to their clear state. Photochromic lenses may ...

. The company was founded in 1990. In 1991, Transitions Optical became the first company to commercialize and manufacture plastic

photochromic Photochromism is the reversible transformation of a chemical species (photoswitch) between two forms by the absorption of electromagnetic radiation (photoisomerization), where the two forms have different absorption spectra. In plain language, th ...

lenses. From inception the company has been a joint venture between

PPG Industries PPG Industries, Inc. is an American Fortune 500 company and global supplier of paints, coatings, and specialty materials. With headquarters in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, PPG operates in more than 70 countries around the globe. By revenue it ...

(51%) and

Essilor Essilor International is a French-based international ophthalmic optics company that designs, manufactures and markets lenses to correct or protect eyesight. Its headquarters is in Charenton-le-Pont (near Paris), France. It is the world's lar ...

(49%). In April 2014, Essilor acquired the entire stake of PPG in Transitions. From 2009 to 2012, Transitions Optical was the title sponsor of the Transitions Championship, a

PGA Tour The PGA Tour (stylized in all capital letters as PGA TOUR by its officials) is the organizer of professional golf tours in the United States and North America. It organizes most of the events on the flagship annual series of tournaments also k ...

event held at Innisbrook Resort and Golf Club in Palm Harbor, Florida. The firm was the Official Eyewear of the PGA Tour, Champions Tour and Nationwide Tour. It also sponsors pro cycling Team Garmin-Cervelo.

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* {{PPG Industries Essilor PPG Industries American companies established in 1990 Manufacturing companies established in 1990 Eyewear brands of the United States Eyewear companies of the United States Joint ventures 1990 establishments in Florida