SPECIALTY PROTECTION

Laser safety glasses help reduce exposure to specific laser wavelengths and optical densities.

Radiation glasses typically use leaded glass or equivalent protective materials to reduce scatter radiation exposure.

Lampworking eyewear filters harmful sodium flare and infrared light while maintaining visibility.

Glassworking glasses are specialized protective eyewear designed for torchwork, lampworking, beadmaking, flameworking, and furnace glassblowing. They filter harmful sodium flare (orange/yellow light) and provide UV and IR protection to reduce eye strain and protect vision.

They protect against:
* Sodium flare (the bright yellow/orange glare from molten glass)
* Infrared (IR) radiation
* Ultraviolet (UV) radiation
* Heat exposure
* Eye strain during torchwork
Different lens types offer different levels of these protections.

Didymium is a lens material that filters sodium flare, allowing you to see the true color of the glass while working. It is ideal for soft glass, beadmaking, and general lampworking where you need accurate color clarity.

Didymium:
* Excellent sodium flare reduction
* Great for soft glass lampworking
* Enhances visibility and color accuracy
ACE 202:
* Advanced sodium flare filtration
* Added UV and IR protection
* Suitable for both soft and borosilicate glass
* Better for higher-temperature work or long torch sessions

* Single vision
* Progressive / no-line lenses
* Reading magnifiers
Many Didymium and ACE lenses can be made in prescription form.

Yes. Fitovers are available for customers who want to wear glassworking protection over their existing prescription eyewear.

Sodium flare is the intense yellow-orange light emitted from molten glass at high temperatures. It:
* Obscures your view of the workpiece
* Causes eye strain
* Can damage vision with prolonged exposure
Lampworking glasses filter this flare so you can see the glass clearly.

* Sodium Flare Poly
* BoroTruView Shade #2.0

* BoroTruView #3
* BoroTruView #5

It depends on:
* Your torch size
* Flame temperature
* Soft glass vs borosilicate
* Length of sessions
* Whether you need prescription lenses
VS Eyewear’s team can help you select the ideal lens based on your setup.

Not recommended.
Lampworking lenses protect mainly from sodium flare + lower IR levels.
Furnace glassblowing requires much stronger IR protection.

Lampworking lenses are designed to filter high levels of UV/IR from torches and the bright flare from borosilicate and soft glass.
Hot-glass eyewear focuses on glare reduction and IR protection for furnace work.
Using the wrong lens type can result in poor visibility or insufficient protection. Furnace glasses normally offer better IR protection, but don’t knock out the sodium flare.

Shade numbers depend on the brightness of the process:
– Brazing & Torch Work: Shade 3–5
– Light Gas Welding: Shade 4–5
– Medium Welding: Shade 5–7
– Heavy Welding: Shade 8–10

High-quality welding and brazing eyewear generally uses optical-quality glass lenses, which offer:
– Excellent protection from UV/IR
– High heat resistance
– Superior scratch resistance
– Durable long-term performance

Plastic lenses are available but often lack the optical clarity and heat durability of glass.

– Safety Glasses with Welding Lenses
– Clip-On Welding Lenses
– Flip-Up Welding Frames
– Full Welding Goggles
– Prescription Welding Eyewear

VS Eyewear offers prescription-ready frames as well as standard protective options.

Yes. Certified welding lenses block 100% of harmful UV and IR radiation. The shade level then reduces visible brightness to safe levels based on the intensity of the flame or arc.

– Welders (professional & hobbyists)
– Metal fabricators
– HVAC technicians
– Jewelers
– Machinists
– Artists working with torch or flame

Anyone performing metal joining or torch work must use proper protective lenses.

The first thing to consider is the wavelength of the laser, its power level, whether you need to see the beam or not, and finally the visible light transmission of the filter. If the visible light transmission is too dark, you may have difficulty operating in your workspace. If you’re unsure on any of these points, please contact one of our Customer Service Representatives for assistance.
→ Laser Safety Filter Guide

Optical Density is a measure used to gauge the protective level of a laser filter. Considering laser wavelength, power level and operating mode, calculations are made to determine the “worst case” optical density required for a particular laser application.
Every increase of 1 equates to a value of 10. For example, an OD of 0 is 100% transmission. OD 1 is 10%, 2 is 1%, 3 is .1%, 4 is .01% and 5 is .001% Most medical devices require and OD of 5. That means you will be blocking 99.999% of the laser energy.

At VS Eyewear, we offer a full line of both Polycarbonate and Glass lens filters.   → Laser Safety Lens Technology

To test laser safety glasses, a spectrophotometer is required and three steps need to be applied. First, the lens needs to be applied to the spectrophotometer, which will test the amount of light being absorbed against the amount of light being let through at different wavelengths. The amount being absorbed is a measurement known as Optical Density (OD). Second, you need to find out what protection level is needed based on the output of your laser by looking for the recommended OD of the laser. Finally, compare the OD of your lens to that required. If it is sufficient, it is considered safe.

Anyone who works near X-ray sources or ionizing radiation should wear them. This includes radiologists, dentists, surgeons, X-ray technicians, cath-lab staff, veterinarians, and anyone assisting in fluoroscopy or imaging rooms.

Yes. Glass Lens Eyewear can make prescription radiation glasses in single vision, lined bifocal, or progressive lenses. Your prescription strength does not affect the radiation protection rating.

Use a gentle lens cleaner and a microfiber cloth. Avoid harsh solvents like acetone or alcohol, which may damage coatings. Store the glasses in a padded case to prevent scratches or chips.

Radiation lead eyewear comes in:
* Wraparound frames
* Fitovers for wearing over prescription glasses
* Stylish everyday-style frames
* Side-shielded frames
* Sport and safety styles
VS Eyewear offers multiple frame options suitable for medical environments

Most medical-grade radiation glasses are 0.75 mm Pb equivalency, which meets or exceeds recommended protection guidelines for scatter radiation.