An optical element includes a light absorbing medium formed of a transparent material and light absorbing elements encapsulated within the transparent material. The light absorbing elements have an ultraviolet (UV) light-dependent absorption characteristic and UV light is applied to the light absorbing medium to change the attenuation of the light absorbing medium to a desired attenuation. UV light is applied to the light absorbing medium in a controlled manner to change the attenuation of the light absorbing medium from an initial attenuation to the desired attenuation. The application of UV light to the light absorbing medium can cause the light absorbing elements encapsulated within the light absorbing medium to degrade such that the amount of light absorbed by the light absorbing medium is reduced. Reducing the amount of light that is absorbed effectively reduces the attenuation of the light absorbing medium.