Evaluation of Laser-Protective Eyewear Dyes In UVEX Lenses.

Abstract : Twenty-seven lenses of various dye combinations were received for testing from Uvex Corp. A previous contract from Uvex for Natick had failed the 240-hour Weatherometer test and this study was to determine which dye or which combination of dyes was responsible for this degradation. Dyes from different suppliers were incorporated into Uvex polycarbonate lenses. These dyes were laser blocking dyes obtained from Gentex, Polaroid, Barnes, Steadfast and Epolin (a Uvex dye) and used in various combinations within the lenses. These lenses were evaluated for optical density, visual transmittance, laser saturation, and solarization. Some of the lenses were tested in the weatherometer only.