All firearms have a certain amount of recoil, and many shooting activities take place outdoors, where wind, sun, dust, tree branches and brush all can cause eye injuries.
When considering a quality pair of shooting glasses, what factors do you evaluate so you can purchase the best pair for your individual needs? Of primary focus should be the lens, so before making your decision, consider evaluating the following components of Shooting Glasses lens:
Lens Material
For shooting applications, Polycarbonate is the best lens material available on the market today. Polycarbonate is a type of LEXAN® from G.E., the same material used for bullet resistant glass in autos. It's such hard material that a special diamond-grinding wheel must be used to cut the lens. To form the lens itself, the material is melted and then force injected into a special mold. In comparison, Polycarbonate lenses are lighter, more durable, more impact-resistant and more scratch-resistant than any other lens material in today's market. Many law enforcement and fire agencies are now making polycarbonate lens standard issue on all protective eyewear.
Lens Impact Resistance
In light of the application, this is probably the most important feature to be concerned with. Lens color, fit, etc. are all important, but they become a moot point if the lens won't properly protect the eye. Impact resistance ratings are typically standardized through agencies and groups like Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OHSA), American National Standards Institute (ANSI), and the U.S. Military. These standardized rating provide the minimum recommended impact resistance for safety-based lens. Some rating information from each group:
OHSA Safety Standard 1910.133(a)(2) requires impact resistant lens AND "eye protection that provides side protection when there is a hazard from flying objects."
ANSI standards for impact resistance are outlined in article Z87.1 and Z87.3. These standards were provided to ANSI by the American Society of Safety Engineers (ASSE) and specifically focus on eye safety.
U.S. Military - The U.S. Military uses a testing standard called MIL-V-43511C, which is a .22 caliber ballistics impact test. U.S. Military eyewear must pass this standard before being issued to any U.S. military personnel.
Lens UV Protection
UV radiation is the low frequency light waves produced by the sun. There are three forms of UV rays: UVA, UVB, and UVC. The atmosphere filters UV-C, so it is not a real concern.
UVB is responsible for sunburn, prolonged eye damage, and some forms of skin cancers. It can penetrate thin cloud layers and up to three feet of water. UVA is the cause of sun related drug reactions.
To provide adequate protection, look for shooting glasses that absorb at least 99% of UV radiation. Choose shooting glasses with one of the following labels: "Blocks 99% or 100% of UV rays", "UV absorption up to 400nm", or "meets ANSI UV requirements." It should be noted that even clear Polycarbonate lens will block or absorb UV rays, so don't become focused on the tint as playing a role in the level of protection.
Lens Coverage
Quality shooting lenses adequately cover enough of the eye area to provide proper protection (See OHSA Standard above). This is especially important for the side areas of the eye. Look for lens that wrap around past the sides of the eye for complete coverage.
Lens Color
Personal preferences drive lens color decisions but each color performs differently in various light conditions.
Smoke – Versatile and a good choice for all-weather use. This tint is effective at blocking glare without changing color perception
Amber – Improves both contrast and depth perception in low light. Amber is especially good at blocking the blue light commonly found in diffused light like you’ll see on a cloudy day
Yellow or Orange - Improves contrast and sharpness. Lenses in these hues block haze and blue light and enhance the orange color of the target – desirable in trap shooting
G15 – A grey/green lens resulting in natural vision - true colors that are easy on the eye. The G-15 lens was formulated to emphasize the colors that our eyes see most easily and de-emphasize less useful colors
