Safety eyewear: glasses, goggles & eye protection
Protect your eyes at work with uvex safety eyewear, designed to combine reliable protection with outstanding fit, comfort and performance.
Our extensive range includes safety glasses, safety goggles, overspecs and specialist protective eyewear for different workplace hazards, environments and wearer requirements. Choose from lightweight safety spectacles for everyday use, sealed and full-vision goggles for additional coverage, and a wide range of lens coatings and tints designed for different working conditions.
Finding the right eye protection isn't just about selecting a product that meets the required safety standard. Fit, comfort, lens technology, compatibility with other PPE and the conditions in which the eyewear will be worn should all form part of the selection process.
Not sure where to start? Explore our safety eyewear selection guide.
- 135 Products
How to choose the right safety eyewear
Choosing the right safety glasses or goggles starts with understanding the hazards present within the workplace. Once the required level of protection has been identified through your risk assessment, factors including eyewear type, fit, comfort, lens coating, lens tint and compatibility with other PPE can help you identify the most appropriate solution.
Consider the workplace hazard
The type and level of eye protection required will depend on the hazards identified within your working environment and the task being performed. Safety eyewear should therefore be selected according to the workplace risk assessment and the appropriate protection requirements, rather than comfort or appearance alone.
Choose the right type of eye protection
Not every task requires the same style of eyewear. Safety spectacles, overspecs and full-vision safety goggles provide different levels of coverage and are suited to different applications. The category already contains all three of those product types, so making them explicit within the body copy is particularly valuable.
Prioritise fit and comfort
Effective eye protection needs to provide the required protection while also fitting the individual wearer correctly. Head and facial shapes vary, which means one size of safety eyewear will not necessarily provide the right fit for everyone. Safety eyewear should also be considered alongside any other PPE being worn. Comfort matters too, particularly when eyewear needs to be worn for extended periods. Lightweight, pressure-free designs and an appropriate fit can contribute to a more comfortable wearing experience.
Consider your lens coating
The right lens coating can make an important difference to the performance and practicality of your safety eyewear. Consider the conditions in which the eyewear will be used, including whether fogging or scratching is a particular concern. uvex offers specialist lens coating technologies developed for different workplace conditions and applications.
Choose the right lens tint
Different working environments and light conditions can require different lens solutions. uvex offers a range of lens tints designed for different light environments and applications. If you're unsure which option is right for your workplace, the uvex Lens Tinting Advisor can help you explore the available solutions.
Understanding EN ISO 16321
The standards applying to protective eyewear are changing. EN ISO 16321-1:2022 has replaced EN 166 as the standard for occupational eye and face protection, bringing updated product requirements and test methods. If you're responsible for selecting safety eyewear, our dedicated guide explains the changes and what they mean in more detail.
If you’d like tailored advice or want to trial uvex eyewear in your environment, get in touch via our quick contact form, call our team on +44 (0)1252 731200 or email marketing@uvex.co.uk.
FAQs
How do I choose the right safety glasses?
Start by identifying the hazards and level of protection required through your workplace risk assessment. Once those requirements are understood, consider the type of eyewear, fit, comfort, lens coating and lens tint, together with compatibility with any other PPE that needs to be worn.
Take a look at our safety eyewear selection guide for further information.
What is the difference between safety glasses and safety goggles?
Safety glasses generally use a spectacle-style design, while safety goggles provide greater coverage around the eyes. The appropriate option depends on the workplace hazards and level of protection required. uvex offers both safety spectacles and full-vision safety goggles, alongside overspecs and specialist eye protection.
What is EN ISO 16321-1:2022?
EN ISO 16321-1:2022 is a standard covering occupational eye and face protection. It introduces updated requirements and test methods for protective eyewear and is replacing EN 166.
Is EN ISO 16321 replacing EN 166?
Yes. EN ISO 16321 was officially published as the replacement for EN 166 in May 2023 and the legal adoption date was 11 November 2025. There is a transition period for existing EN 166-certified products, however. Existing certificates can remain valid until their official expiry date under the applicable transition arrangements.
How can I stop safety glasses from fogging up?
Selecting safety eyewear with an appropriate anti-fog lens coating can help manage fogging. Not all anti-fog coatings perform in the same way, so the eyewear and coating should be selected with the working environment and application in mind.
Do uvex safety glasses provide UV protection?
uvex lens options provide maximum UV400 protection, alongside a range of lens shades and coatings for different workplace environments and light conditions.
For environments with specific lighting requirements, explore the uvex Lens Tinting Advisor to find out more about the available lens options.
Can I get prescription safety glasses?
Yes. uvex offers prescription safety eyewear designed for employees who require vision correction while working in environments where protective eyewear is required. Prescription safety spectacles are available with different frame designs and protective features. For example, the uvex RX cd 5525 is certified to EN ISO 16321 and EN 166 and incorporates transparent side protection into the frame.
How should safety glasses fit?
Safety glasses should suit the wearer's individual head and facial shape and be compatible with other PPE being worn. Because head and facial shapes differ, one size does not fit everyone. The uvex safety eyewear range includes different designs and sizes, while the uvex eyewear fit programme provides additional support with finding suitable eye protection.
Explore more about safety eyewear
Visit the uvex Knowledge Hub
Explore expert advice, guidance and practical information to help you understand safety eyewear, standards, lens technologies and more.
What is UV400 protection?
Discover why protecting your eyes from ultraviolet radiation matters and learn more about uvex UV400, 100% protection against harmful UVA, UVB and UVC rays up to 400 nm.
Safety eyewear for your industry
Different industries and working environments bring different hazards and PPE requirements. Explore uvex sector solutions to find the best safety eyewear for your workplace.
Prescription safety eyewear
Discover the uvex prescription safety eyewear service, with a choice of certified prescription safety glasses and support through the uvex optician network.