Describes a photochromic article, e.g., an ophthalmic photochromic article, such as an ophthalmic lens, in which the article comprises, in combination, (1) a rigid substrate, such as a transparent thermoset or thermoplastic polymeric substrate, (2) a photochromic polymeric coating superposed on, e.g., appended to, at least a portion of at least one surface of the substrate, the photochromic polymeric coating containing a photochromic amount of at least one photochromic material, e.g., an organic photochromic material such as a spirooxazine, naphthopyran and / or fulgide, (3) a coating comprising a non-polarizing cross-linked polyhydroxy polymer, e.g., a poly(vinyl alcohol), appended to said photochromic polymeric coating, and (4) a further organic polymer layer that is superposed on said coating comprising a cross-linked polyhydroxy polymer. The aforedescribed photochromic article may also have an abrasion-resistant coating, e.g., a coating comprising an organo silane, affixed to the further organic polymer coating.