Selecting the right safety eyewear lenses can be a perplexing experience, often overwhelmed with a variety of options and technical jargon. From various lens coatings and tints to frame designs and EN ratings, navigating the array of choices can be challenging.

Riley continues to lead the market in product expertise, options, and consistency – and the below guide simplifies the lens selection process.

Working Outdoors

• Grey lenses are often referred to as sunglasses or sun glare lenses and are designed specifically for use outdoors in bright and sunny conditions. Grey lenses tend to provide good visual comfort, reducing the intensity of light without overly darkening the view. This can be particularly beneficial when wearing safety glasses for extended periods outdoors. Riley grey lenses also conform to the colour recognition standard under EN172 to ensure that there is no colour distortion which is critical for drivers or rail workers for checking signals.

• Clear lenses have no tint and are entirely transparent. These are the most commonly used lenses and can be used both in and outdoors providing clear vision without altering the colours of objects.

• Amber lenses can be beneficial in low-light or cloudy conditions by increasing visibility and reducing eye strain. Amber lenses are often used as nighttime driving glasses and are mostly used in the winter months.

• The Twilight Naked Eye lenses excel in low light conditions, enhancing contrast and colour perception for outdoor workers during dawn or dusk. Filtering out more than 75% of blue light reduces stress on the eye significantly.

• Polarised lenses enhance vision, protect from harmful rays, and filter out glare from reflective surfaces, ideal for work near water, windows, and anything outdoors. Riley’s market-leading Navigators, for example, utilise this offering clarity and safety combined.

• Revo lenses boast a reflective surface coating akin to Riley’s esteemed polarisation. Effectively minimizing glare, they’re a superb choice for bright and sunny days. Experience heightened visual comfort and protection as you endure the outdoors.

• Grey and brown lenses offer high sun protection with similar tint levels. Grey maintains full-colour visibility, while brown adds contrast and warmth. Riley uses brown lenses to filter blue light under LED lighting. Grey-tinted sunglasses are preferred for comfort, visibility, and style.

Working Indoors

• Indoor/Outdoor lenses are perfect for transport and logistics workers, ensuring clarity in various lighting environments. Offering consistent visible light levels to minimize pupil adjustments when transitioning between indoor and outdoor settings - they’re a forklift operator must-have.

• LED lenses for working indoors under LED lighting. The LED Lens tint is a suitable choice with 69% visible light transmission. Riley developed the LED lens shade in partnership with one of the world’s leading automotive manufacturers to filter the blue light and significantly reduce eye strain and eye fatigue when working under harsh LED lighting.

• Blue lens tint helps with enhancing vision in the presence of excessive sodium vapour or yellow light, commonly emitted by strip lighting. Frequently used indoors but can also be used outdoors, to improve contrast levels. Blue lenses are also commonly referred to as “comfort lenses” as blue is the most relaxing colour for the pupil which results in reduced eye fatigue.

Other benefits of choosing Riley eyewear:

Riley Tecton

In the field, all parts of a lens can be subject to the harshest of conditions. Riley Tecton coatings are bonded and cured for the life of the product on both sides of the lenses, giving you excellent resistance to scratching and fogging.

Specifically, the anti-fog performance of the Tecton coating goes far beyond the minimum level necessary to achieve the N standard (EN166).

Tecton 400

Eliminates harmful UV rays emitted from the sun whilst maintaining anti-fog and moisture repellent.

Tecton Anti-scratch and Anti-fog

Exceptional resistance to fogging as well as excellent scratch and abrasion resistance (EN 166: K and N) - as standard practice for Riley eyewear.

Moisture Repellence

ARIDA coating stops water droplets from sticking to the lenses. A minuscule angle of the coating allows water to escape the surface of the lens preventing obstruction of vision.

Colour recognition

Riley lenses provide full-colour recognition under EN166/EN172 for distortion-free vision and optimum clarity.

Globus 360 Programme

Ensuring PPE is compatible is also a necessity. The Globus 360 programme can help you assess and decide what PPE is required for your specific industry and application, with a thorough assessment and ongoing support provided.

To find out more about the Globus 360 programme, click here.