In this blog, I will discuss the risks and consequences of combat-related eye injuries and provide considerations regarding the various types of protective eyewear available today.
On December 7th, 2023, several news outlets reported that hundreds of Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) soldiers serving in Gaza are suffering from eye injuries. In 10-15% of cases, they are losing vision in one or both eyes. These injuries were primarily caused by soldiers not wearing protective gear intended to shield their eyes from harm.
Protective eyewear offers protection from fragmentation, ultraviolet (UV) light, wind, sand, and other potential eye hazards. Even though the eyes occupy only 0.1% of the total body surface, they account for 8-13% of battle injuries in modern warfare worldwide. Protective eyewear can prevent over 90% of these eye injuries! The energy density required to perforate the eye (0.03 J/mm2) is approximately three times smaller than that needed to perforate bare skin (0.1 J/mm2)!
In my experience, the most important feature of protective eyewear is their comfort and wearability. Indeed, if a soldier is not comfortable with their eyewear, they are less likely to wear it. As mentioned earlier, Israeli soldiers often do not wear their issued protective eyewear in combat, leading to numerous eye injuries. To the best of my knowledge, they are only issued with goggles, which can be cumbersome, hot, prone to fogging, and uncomfortable for extended periods, especially in hot environments.
At some point, protective eyewear may need to be removed due to impaired visibility caused by fog, dirt, blood, light, liquids (e.g., counter mass AT-4), and more. Therefore, glasses with straps under the helmet may not be suitable, for example.
Another issue to consider is the compatibility of your protective eyewear with your helmet and weapon. For instance, standard goggle straps may not be suitable if you are wearing NVGs (Night Vision Goggles) and accessories on your helmet's siderails. Furthermore, goggles can often push your helmet upwards
Subsequently, I will present some types and characteristics of protective eyewear. This enumeration is not intended to be exhaustive but aims to discuss lesser-known considerations and product types.
Spectacles
Spectacles are the most widely used protective eyewear. The U.S. Army Authorized Protective Eyewear List (APEL®) alone lists 15 models of spectacles. Most spectacles offer a similar level of protection and come with interchangeable lenses (clear, gray, orange/amber, etc.).
Two specific characteristics worth mentioning here are size(s) and image distortion:
Size: Some models of spectacles come in three sizes (e.g., Revision Military SAWFLY), while others are available in only one size (e.g., Oakley ALPHA). However, despite the variety of sizes, the crucial factors are comfort and retention. There are significant differences between brands and models in this regard, meaning that more sizes do not necessarily guarantee better comfort and retention.
Image distortion: Most companies advertise distortion-free lenses. However, these lenses are typically tested under "straight" conditions, with the head straight and the eyes looking straight ahead. When you are shooting a long gun in a prone position, you often look at your sights/scope through the edge of the lens, where there can be significant differences in distortion between various models.
Photochromic lenses
Photochromic lenses are designed to remain transparent indoors but darken when exposed to ultraviolet light from the sun, offering the benefits of both glasses and sunglasses within a single frame.
Although photochromic lenses have gained popularity over the last decade, they come with their own set of pros and cons. Firstly, the "clear" lens still blocks approximately 30% of light, compared to the 7-10% blockage of a normal clear lens, and the "dark" lens isn't as dark as a standard dark or grey lens.
However, the primary operational challenge with photochromic lenses is their slow transition from a "dark" to a "clear" state. When entering a moderately dark building, visibility remains limited, and it can take several minutes for the lenses to completely clear.
Powered light adaptive eyewear
Powered light adaptive eyewear was developed to address the primary drawback of photochromic lenses: their slow light adaptation time. Eyewear options like the e-Tint CTRL offer rapid tint adjustment, transitioning between clear and dark states in a fraction of a second, thanks to liquid crystal E-Tint® technology. These eyewear options also provide both manual and automatic modes.
e-Tint CTRL MS1
Visors
A new solution for eye protection is helmet-mounted visors. These visors replace spectacles and/or goggles and are integral parts, fixed to the helmet.
The Gentex OPS-CORE STEP-IN® Visor is secured with bungee cords to the side rails and extends over the helmet rim. The STEP-IN Visor allows for the use of NVGs (Night Vision Goggles), and its lenses are interchangeable. Additionally, it features removable rubber gaskets for missions requiring additional ventilation
Gentex OPS-CORE STEP-IN® Visor
The Busch Protective MEP-1 Visor is attached to the helmet rim using magnets and a mechanical clip. It offers various protection lenses, including LASER protection. It's important to note that the use of NVGs may be limited due to the greater distance from the eyes.
Busch Protective MEP-1 Visor
In conclusion, choosing the right eye protection demands a thorough understanding of your mission and a prioritization of your needs. Do not underestimate the comfort and wearability of protective eyewear, as it significantly influences whether soldiers wear it in combat or not.
Remember: A small inconvenience with a significant impact, or less than 50 grams in weight, can protect against 90% of eye injuries!
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