A

ANSI Z87.1 – A U.S. safety standard for protective eyewear that ensures glasses or goggles meet impact resistance, optical clarity, and coverage requirements.

Anti-Fog Coating – A special lens or coating treatment that reduces fog build-up caused by heat, sweat, or humidity. Ideal for high-intensity sports.

Anti-Reflective (AR) Coating – A lens treatment that reduces glare and reflections, improving clarity in bright or artificial lighting.

ASTM Standards – Safety performance standards developed by ASTM International, often used to test sports eyewear against high-impact conditions.

B Bridge – The part of the frame that rests over the nose and connects the two lenses or eye shields.

C

CE Marking – A European certification mark that shows eyewear meets health, safety, and environmental protection requirements.

Clip-In / Prescription Insert – A removable frame that fits inside sports or safety eyewear and holds prescription lenses separately from the main shield or outer lens.

Contrast Enhancement – Lens technology that improves visual distinction between objects and terrain, useful in sports like cycling, skiing, or cricket.

Curved Lens (Base Curve) – The wraparound design often used in sports eyewear to maximize coverage and peripheral vision. Requires inserts when high prescriptions are needed.

D

Decentered Lens – A lens design technique to reduce distortion in wraparound frames, helping prescription wearers maintain clearer peripheral vision.

Double Lens System – Often used in goggles, where an outer shield pairs with an inner insert to prevent fogging or provide prescription correction.

E

EN166 – The European standard for protective eyewear in industrial and safety environments. Similar to ANSI Z87.1 in the U.S.

Eye Box – The optimal vision zone in which prescription inserts align with the wearer’s eyes, ensuring clarity across movements.

F

Face Seal / Foam Padding – Cushioned material around the frame edges that improves comfort and blocks debris or wind in goggles.

Fogging – The clouding of lenses due to condensation, often reduced with inserts that sit slightly away from the face compared to standard lenses.

Frame Retention Strap – An elastic strap that holds sports or safety eyewear securely on the head, common in cycling, skiing, and lab safety settings.

G

Gasket – A removable protective liner or seal around the frame that provides dust, wind, or splash protection.

Gradient Tint – A lens tint that transitions from dark to light, often used in eyewear for mixed-light environments.

H

Helmet Compatibility – Design feature ensuring goggles or glasses fit comfortably with helmets used in cycling, skiing, or construction safety.

High-Impact Rated – Indicates eyewear meets strict resistance tests for impact from flying objects or fast-moving balls/pucks.

Hydrophobic Coating – Lens treatment that repels water, sweat, and oils, making eyewear easier to clean during active use.

I

Insert (Prescription Insert) – A small, corrective lens frame fitted inside performance eyewear, allowing users with prescriptions to enjoy protective wraparound lenses without compromising vision.

Impact Protection meeting the AS/NZS 1337.1 medium impact specification is designed to safeguard eyes from hazards such as flying particles, dust, splashes, and fragments commonly encountered in industrial settings.

Interchangeable Lens System – A feature that allows the outer shield lenses to be swapped for different tints or conditions while keeping the prescription insert unchanged.

L

Lens Tint / Colour Filter – Different shades and colours applied to lenses to optimize vision under specific light conditions, e.g., amber for low light, grey for bright sunlight.

Lens Ventilation – Built-in airflow channels that reduce fogging by circulating air around the lenses.

M

Mirror Coating – A reflective coating that reduces brightness and glare, useful for outdoor sports in intense sunlight.

Multi-Sport Eyewear – Glasses or goggles designed for versatility across different athletic activities or environments, with removable inserts and accessories.

O

Optical Center – The precise alignment point in a prescription lens where maximum clarity occurs; crucial when fitting inserts to avoid distortion.

Over-the-Glasses (OTG) Goggles – Larger goggle frames designed to fit over everyday prescription glasses, though inserts are often a better solution for sport use.

P

Photochromic Lenses – Lenses that automatically darken in bright light and clear up indoors or in low light—can be combined with inserts.

Polarized Lenses – Lenses that reduce glare reflected from surfaces like water, snow, or asphalt.

Polycarbonate Lenses – Ultra-lightweight, impact-resistant lens material commonly used in sports and safety eyewear.

Prescription Insert Adapter – The specific frame or clip mechanism designed to hold prescription lenses in place within sports eyewear.

R

Rating (Safety Rating) – Certification of eyewear under standards such as ANSI, ASTM, or EN for impact or ballistic resistance.

Retention System – Straps, bands, or locking mechanisms that keep eyewear securely in place during movement.

S

Scratch-Resistant Coating – Lens additive that protects against everyday wear and tear for longer durability.

Shield Lens – A single continuous lens that spans both eyes, popular in cycling, running, and safety goggles.

Sports Prescription Insert – A custom-fit optical insert that allows athletes to use their prescription while retaining high-performance wrap lenses.

T

Temple Arms – The sidepieces of eyewear that extend over the ears to hold the glasses in place.

Transition Lenses – Another term for photochromic lenses that adapt to changing light conditions.

TR-90 Frame Material – Lightweight, flexible, and durable frame material ideal for sports and safety eyewear.

U

UV Protection (UV400) – The degree to which lenses block harmful ultraviolet radiation, offering eye protection from UVA and UVB rays.

V

Ventilation Ports – Openings in the frame or lens allowing airflow to reduce heat and fogging.

Vision Correction Insert – The prescription-correcting part of the eyewear, designed to be removable or interchangeable inside the goggle or sport frame.

W

Wraparound Frames – A style of frame that curves around the head, providing wide field of vision and side protection – often incompatible with high prescriptions unless an insert is used.