Find the right tint for you
Just as one pair of safety eyewear does not fit all, one tint isn’t good for all applications and environments. The right tint on your lenses is essential to increase clarity of vision and help lessen eye strain and fatigue; all things that can have a long-term effect on your eyes’ health – and your safety – on the job. So, how do you choose the right kind of tint for you?
There are several kinds of tints out there to choose from depending on your situation. To help you research which safety eyewear tint may be right for your environment, we’ve created a quick reference guide below to help steer you in the right direction.
Clear
The first and probably most common tint is clear. Clear lenses are ideal for most applications and are typically the standard lens tint for most safety glasses. Primarily used indoors, safety glasses with a clear lens are often worn to protect workers from impacts on the job. uvex clear tinted lenses offer 100% consistent optical clarity across the entire lens, giving wearers as close to natural vision as you can get.
Amber
If you’re consistently in situations where there is less than perfect lighting, you may want to consider amber tinted lenses. An amber tint enhances contrast in poorly lit working conditions. By partially filtering out the blue end of the light spectrum, an amber lens brightens and adds contrast to shapes and shadows by sharpening detail in challenging conditions that otherwise would be hard to discern. This helps lower the strain of focus on your eyes. Amber lenses are typically used in poorly lit working environments including nighttime and early morning outdoor applications. However, be cautious, if colour sensitivity is important on your job site, then an amber tint is probably not the best choice for you, as it filters out and shifts some colour from their natural state.
CBR23 brown
If you regularly work outdoors in sunlight e.g. roofing work, construction work, road building, gardening and landscaping, the uvex CBR23 is the ideal lens tint for you. Designed to protect against natural glare, the CBR23 tint provides contrast enhancement and reduces blue light, all while still allowing full signal colour detection. The uvex CBR23 lens filters blue light, boosts contrast for clearer vision, and helps reduce strain on the eyes and increase comfort. Blue light is reduced by up to 95% in extremely bright and sunny workplaces. The lens tint also reduces eye fatigue even during prolonged periods of use, giving strain-free vision for increased concentration and comfort, reducing the risk of fatigue. The lens allows 23% light transmission for protection against natural glare with signal colour detection.
CBR65 brown
If you work in bright artificial light environments, the uvex CBR65 lens is a revolution in eyewear protection, giving workers more Contrast enhancement, Blue light reduction, and Relaxed vision with 65% transmission. uvex CBR65 absorbs up to 50% of blue light with a maximum absorption of 450nm, while at the same time offering better contrast for a clearer vision to help reduce strain on the eyes and therefore increase comfort. The 65% visible light transmission delivers a relaxed field-of-vision and prevents the eye from getting tired too fast. uvex CBR65 is ideal for people working indoors under harsh light conditions, such as strong LED lighting, neon, or very bright environments; for those in changing light environments, either indoor or outdoor; and for those that require high levels of concentration or undertake close inspection work.
Grey
Think of a grey tint like your favorite pair of sunglasses; it’s used to dim the brightness of surroundings without color distortion. If you work in any outdoor environment with prolonged sun exposure, whether bright or partially sunny, a grey tint blocks natural glare and sun glare so that you’re not putting constant strain on your eyes.
Specialist lens tints for glare and light control
For environments with changing light conditions or frequent movement between indoors and outdoors, lens selection is key to maintaining visual comfort. A silver mirror tint with around 53% light transmission is a popular choice, often referred to as an “indoor/outdoor tint”. It allows more than half of available light to pass through the lens, helping to reduce the need to squint and minimising strain on the eye muscles.
Similarly, blue mirror lenses offer effective glare reduction while maintaining good visibility in variable lighting. They can enhance contrast and provide a comfortable viewing experience in bright but fluctuating conditions, making them suitable for dynamic working environments. Polarising lenses go a step further by actively reducing reflected glare from surfaces such as water, glass, or metal. This not only improves visual clarity but also helps reduce eye strain and fatigue during extended exposure to bright or reflective environments. Variomatic lenses automatically adapt to changing light conditions, transitioning quickly from clear to tinted to provide optimal vision, reduced glare, and all-day visual comfort.
Choosing the right lens type ensures consistent vision, improves comfort, and supports long-term eye health—especially in demanding or changing light conditions.
Looking for further guidance?
Choosing the right PPE can make all the difference when it comes to safety, comfort, and compliance. If you’d like tailored advice or want to trial uvex products in your environment, get in touch via our quick contact form or email marketing@uvex.co.uk.
FAQ's
Clear lenses are typically the best choice for indoor environments, as they allow maximum light transmission without altering colour perception. They are ideal for low-light conditions or detailed tasks where accuracy is essential.
Grey lenses are a popular option for outdoor work, as they reduce brightness without distorting natural colours. For high-glare environments, mirrored or darker tints—such as silver mirror or blue mirror—can provide additional glare reduction and visual comfort.
Mirrored lenses (such as silver or blue mirror) reflect a portion of incoming light, helping to reduce glare more effectively than standard tints. This makes them particularly useful in bright conditions or environments with reflective surfaces.
Polarising lenses reduce reflected glare from surfaces like water, metal, or glass. They improve contrast and visual clarity, making them an excellent choice for outdoor work where glare is a constant challenge.
In some cases, yes. Lenses with mid-range light transmission - such as indoor/outdoor tints (around 50% transmission), including certain silver mirror options - can perform well in changing light conditions. Photochromic solutions like uvex supravision variomatic lenses automatically adjust to light levels, offering added flexibility.
Yes, some tints can influence how colours are seen. For example, grey lenses maintain natural colour balance, while other tints may enhance contrast. Choosing the right tint depends on the visual demands of the task and environment.
Yes. If a tint is too dark or not suited to the lighting conditions, it can make it harder for the eyes to focus, potentially leading to strain or fatigue. Selecting the correct lens type helps maintain comfort and visual performance throughout the day.
Absolutely. Lens performance isn’t just about tint. uvex coatings, such as uvex supravision excellence or extreme, help maintain clear vision by preventing fogging and resisting scratches—ensuring consistent visibility in demanding environments.
Consider the lighting conditions, presence of glare, and the level of visual detail required. A combination of the right tint, coating, and fit - supported by certified optical quality - will deliver the best results for both safety and comfort.