Laser safety glasses are available in a wide variety of lens colours, including green, orange, red, amber, blue, and neutral shades. These colours are not chosen for cosmetic reasons but are a result of the filter technology used to block specific wavelengths.

Different laser wavelengths require different filtering methods. As a result, the colour of the lens often reflects the wavelengths being attenuated by the filter.

For example, eyewear designed for certain blue laser wavelengths may use amber or orange lenses, while filters designed for infrared lasers may appear green, grey, or nearly transparent.

Lens colour can also influence visible light transmission (VLT), which affects how bright the surrounding environment appears while wearing the eyewear.

Although lens colour can provide clues about the filter design, users should never rely solely on colour when selecting laser protection. The wavelength specifications and optical density ratings remain the most important selection criteria.

Understanding why laser lenses vary in colour helps users better interpret laser eyewear specifications.