Abstract: Certain aspects of the invention are directed to a photochromic lens having a graded or variable tint, methods and molds of making the same. In one embodiment, the photochromic lens includes a lens element having a upper portion and a lower portion; and a UV-absorbing layer formed of a UV-absorbing material on a surface of the lens element, such that the UV-absorbing material is more concentrated at the lower portion of the lens element and less concentrated at the upper portion, thereby allowing more UV light to strike the photochromic at the upper portion of the lens element than at the lower portion. The lens element comprises a photochromic composition.