Area served Worldwide Headquarters Tuam, Republic of Ireland Number of employees 1,200 (2009) | Website www.transitions.com Founded 1990 Key person Ric Elias | |
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Type Joint Venture (PPG Industries and Essilor) Industry Optical; Eyewear; Eyeglass Key people Rick Elias, Chief Executive Officer and President
Dave Cole, Chief Operating Officer Products Prescription eyeglass lenses; photochromic lenses; sun lenses Parent organizations Essilor, Essilor International Profiles | ||
Transitions Optical was founded in 1990. In 1991, Transitions Optical became the first company to commercialize and manufacture plastic photochromic lenses. From inception the company has been a joint venture between PPG Industries (51%) and Essilor (49%). In April 2014, Essilor acquired the 51% stake of PPG in Transitions.
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. In addition to original Transitions lenses that are for everyday wear, Transitions Optical also makes Transitions XTRActive lenses that change from light tint indoors to very dark outdoors, and Transitions adaptive sun wear that go from dark to darker outdoors depending on the sun and are available worldwide.
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.
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.
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. Transitions Optical is the Official Eyewear of the PGA Tour, Champions Tour and Nationwide Tour. The company also sponsors pro cycling Team Garmin-Cervelo.
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, the American Optometric Association, the World Council of Optometry, and the Optical Laboratories Association.