How Smarter Safety Eyewear Protects People and Performance

From lens materials to advanced coatings and tints, smarter safety eyewear enhances protection, comfort, and worker performance across industries.

• By Emma Fowler
• Oct 15, 2025

While employers often recognize the importance of protective clothing, helmets, or safety gloves, eyewear can frequently be overlooked. Even though eye injuries may not be the most common workplace incidents, their impact on workers can be life-altering, and the impact on businesses can be equally significant. 

Every employer has a duty to safeguard their workforce by adhering to regulations, proactively identifying risks and implementing the highest standards of protection. For industries where hazards are unavoidable, such as construction, manufacturing, or the oil and gas industry, it is essential to choose the correct type of eyewear that is tailored to the specific risks of each environment. 

The Science Behind the Protection 

Choosing appropriate safety eyewear is not as simple as providing a single solution. It requires an understanding of both the risks involved and the technology available. Two of the most used materials in lenses, CR39 and polycarbonate, demonstrate the difference between eyewear that just complies with standards and eyewear that goes above and beyond to mitigate real-world risks. 

Polycarbonate lenses were originally developed for the extreme conditions of aviation and space travel. Their durability is unmatched, offering up to ten times more impact resistance than glass or standard plastic lenses. For industries where flying debris, airborne particles, or impact risks are present, polycarbonate lenses provide optimum protection without unnecessary weight or bulk. 

CR39 lenses, while durable and suitable for everyday use, are better suited for low-risk environments. They provide good optical clarity and scratch resistance but do not offer the same level of impact resistance required in high-hazard settings. Using CR39 lenses where industrial hazards are present may leave workers vulnerable to injuries that could otherwise be prevented. 

The Role of Advanced Coatings 

Lens material is only one part of the equation. Safety eyewear must also consider environmental conditions that can compromise protection, including fogging, scratches, moisture, and ultraviolet exposure. For these hazards, advanced coating technologies play a critical role. 

Coatings can transform eyewear from a basic requirement into a performance-enhancing product. There are coasting that: 

• Deliver superior scratch and anti-fog resistance, ensuring lenses remain functional and clear even in demanding environments.
• Help outdoor workers by repelling moisture and preventing fogging while maintaining visual clarity. 
• Combine high-performance anti-scratch and anti-fog properties with enhanced ultraviolet protection, safeguarding against both immediate hazards and long-term damage. 

Coatings like the above ensure eyewear meets standards such as EN 166 and ANSI/ISEA Z87, offering workers clarity, comfort, and confidence in challenging conditions. 

Choosing the Right Lens Tint 

The next challenge for employers and safety managers is identifying the most appropriate lens type for the environment in which their teams operate. Each lens type is tailored specifically for an array of tasks or applications.  

Working Outdoors 

Working in outdoor environments creates variable and demanding lighting conditions. The right choice of lens can make the difference between simple compliance and genuine protection with all-day comfort. 

• Clear lenses: The most versatile option, clear lenses are suitable for both indoor and outdoor environments where light levels are moderate and color accuracy is essential. 
• Gray lenses: Often associated with sunglasses, gray lenses are designed for bright, sunny conditions. They reduce glare without distorting colors, which is vital for drivers, rail workers, or anyone who relies on accurate color recognition. 
• Amber lenses: By increasing contrast and reducing eye strain, amber lenses perform well in low light or cloudy conditions. They are particularly effective in winter or for night driving applications. 
• Twilight lenses: Engineered for dawn and dusk, these lenses enhance contrast and filter more than 75 percent of blue light, significantly reducing eye strain during extended shifts. 
• Polarized lenses: Essential for environments near water, glass, or other reflective surfaces, polarized lenses eliminate glare while safeguarding vision. 
• Revo lenses: With a reflective coating that minimises glare, Revo lenses are ideal for high-glare, sunny conditions, offering both protection and visual comfort. 
• Gray and brown lenses: Brown lenses offer strong sun protection, while adding warmth and enhancing contrast.  

Working Indoors 

Indoor environments, particularly with artificial lighting, can strain the eyes and reduce long-term comfort. Selecting the right lens can reduce fatigue, improve productivity, and protect against subtle but significant risks. 

• Indoor/Outdoor lenses: Designed for workers who regularly transition between environments, such as logistics and transport operators. These lenses maintain consistent visible light levels, reducing strain on the eye. 
• LED lenses: Riley LED lenses were specifically developed in partnership with a leading automotive manufacturer, and filter harsh blue light emitted by LED systems. With 69 percent visible light transmission, they provide clarity while significantly reducing eye strain and fatigue. 
• Blue lenses: Effective in areas with excessive sodium vapour or yellow strip lighting, blue lenses improve contrast and reduce discomfort. Often referred to as “comfort lenses,” their calming effect on the pupil can lead to less fatigue during long shifts. 

Prescription Eyewear 

With an estimated 4 billion people worldwide relying on prescription eyewear, inclusive safety solutions in the workplace are extremely important. Standard safety glasses may not provide adequate vision correction, which can put employees at risk if they cannot see clearly while performing critical tasks. RX prescription safety glasses and goggles address this challenge by combining impact-resistant protection with customized vision correction, ensuring that every worker, not just those with perfect eyesight, has the tools to perform their job safely and effectively. For businesses, offering prescription-compatible safety eyewear is not only a compliance measure but also a proactive step toward reducing workplace accidents, improving productivity, and fostering a more inclusive safety culture. 

Eye protection provides workers with the clarity, comfort, and protection they need to perform at their best, day after day. Eyewear is not a one-size-fits-all product, but a precise tool that adapts to the unique demands of every workplace via tailored safety solutions for all environments, worker needs, and applications.  

This article originally appeared in the October 2025 issue of Occupational Health & Safety.