Time magazine has selected a first-of-its-kind contact lens which corrects vision and adapts to changing light conditions as one of the ‘best inventions of 2018” in its annual round-up spotlighting groundbreaking innovations worldwide.

The two-week reusable Acuvue Oasys with Transitions contact lens, which will be sold in the US and other selected markets in the first half of next year, continuously adapts from clear to dark and back.

Developed through a strategic partnership between Johnson & Johnson Vision and Transitions Optical, the makers say the lenses begin to darken as soon as they’re exposed to UV or HEV light, becoming dark in 45 seconds – and fade back from dark to clear within 90 seconds when going from outdoors to indoors. The manufacturers say the lenses provide 100% protection against UVB rays and at full activation, block up to 70 percent of visible light.

“This innovation will revolutionise contact lenses and photochromics by introducing the benefits of light adaptation to more patients,” said Chrystel Barranger, president of Essilor Photochromics and Transitions Optical, adding the product addressed the unmet needs of contact lens wearers.