Beyond The Standard™
EYEWEAR LENS COLOR REFERENCE GUIDE
For Industrial application purposes, this Lens Color Reference Guide will help you understand the
functionality of “task-specific” lenses and how to determine what type of lens is best for your
application and environment. It is important to understand why there are more lens color options,
often necessary, than a Clear, Gray or Mirror lens. The basic rule of thumb for choosing a lens is to
consider color opposites. Blue is opposite of Yellow and Red is opposite of Green. Therefore, Red lenses
will absorb Green light and Yellow Lenses will absorb Blue/Ultraviolet light, and vice versa. Try on the
different AOSafety lenses and learn for yourself the differences, functions and benefits of
the different lens colors.
Yellow/Contrast Amber Lens – absorbs Blue and Ultraviolet light
Use a Contrast Amber lens when sharpness, acuity and contrast are needed and to block high
intensity blue lighting such as UV and in Curing Operations. #1 Use is UV absorption.
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Filters out hazy light that is hard on the eyes (everything seems brighter)
Good for working outside at Dawn and Dusk
Good for hazy, overcast or foggy days (because of the blue/gray light, similar to the function of a
fog light)
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Should not be used where protection from infrared radiation is required or for night time driving
Red/Vermilion Lens – absorbs some Green light
Sharpens visual acuity and provides a contrast similar to the Contrast Amber lens. Some people
prefer the Vermilion to the Amber lens when choosing a lens to sharpen visual acuity.
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Good for inspections because you can see defects better – circuit boards, miniature components,
assembly items, etc.
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Filters out light that is hard on the eyes
Not as good for outside at Dawn or Dusk as a Contrast Amber lens
Green/I.R. Shade Lens – blocks Red/Infrared (I.R.) light
Use any place where there is heat.
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Good for metal making, furnace work, trash incineration and open flames
Protects against glare, ultraviolet and infrared radiations
Available in Shade 3.0 or 5.0
Gray/Silver Mirror/Blue Mirror Lenses – reduce glare and bright light
Use to reduce glare and/or to decrease visible brightness
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Good for outdoor applications where a task specific lens is not required
Can still recognize traffic and warning signals
Provides good color recognition (utility workers and linespeople)
Mirror reflects light, reducing the amount of light that passes through the lens
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Eliminates glare, eye stress, and fatigue often occurring in monochromatic (single color) yellow lit
environments
Useful as a general glare reducer in work environment where there is strong glare from bright
lighting
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Should not be used for glass blowing
The AOSafety Sodium Blue Lens is a “special purpose” lens as defined by ANSI Z87.1 and thus
should only be used after a hazard assessment has been completed by safety personnel.
Lit code 32114 Rev. 11/05
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