When it comes to shooting, protecting your eyes is just as critical as safeguarding your hearing or honing your aim. Every firearms discharge can launch debris, shrapnel or gases — each a serious threat to your vision.
Severe and permanent eye injuries are entirely preventable with the right shooting glasses. But don’t rely on everyday eyewear — it simply lacks the impact resistance needed around firearms. To shoot confidently and stay safe, it’s essential to understand the value of purpose-built eye protection for shooting and how to choose the best option for your needs.
Why Shooting Eye Protection Matters — On and Off the Range
While most shooters associate eye protection with time on the range, the truth is, eye injuries can happen anywhere. Whether you’re hunting, training or even casually cleaning a firearm, risks abound. Too many shooters unknowingly rely on standard sunglasses or fashion glasses, which simply don’t offer the impact resistance required for shooting. Only purpose-built shooting safety glasses provide the reliable protection your vision deserves in high-risk situations.
Pro Tip: Whether you’re training indoors or visiting an outdoor facility for the first time, proper shooting eye protection is non-negotiable. If you’re preparing for your first trip, this guide to outdoor ranges breaks down what gear to bring and how to stay safe.
What FDA and ANSI Standards Mean for Shooting Glasses
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) classifies non-prescription sunglasses as Class 1 medical devices, requiring them to meet basic safety criteria. Many manufacturers also follow the ANSI Z80.3 guideline, which outlines voluntary benchmarks for UV protection, optical clarity and impact resistance. These standards ensure UV-blocking lenses can protect against harmful rays and allow users to distinguish colors in natural light — including traffic signals.
However, neither the FDA regulations nor ANSI Z80.3 were designed for high-impact environments like shooting. These benchmarks apply to general-purpose eyewear, not the kind of impact-resistant eyewear needed to withstand debris, ricochets or high-velocity threats. For shooting eye protection, only specialized gear — such as ballistic eyewear or tactical eye protection — delivers the level of safety necessary for firearms use. Whether you’re on the range or in the field, relying on purpose-built glasses for shooting is important to protect your vision.
Why Lens Material Matters for Shooting Eye Protection
The belief that all glasses offer sufficient protection is a dangerous misconception. A study led by ophthalmologist Dr. Paul F. Vinger tested various common lens materials — each with a center thickness of 3 millimeters — against high-speed baseball impacts. The results exposed major differences in their protective capabilities:
- High-index plastic lenses shattered at just 40 miles per hour
- Allyl resin (CR-39) lenses failed at 55 miles per hour
- Glass lenses broke at 89 miles per hour
In contrast, polycarbonate lenses demonstrated exceptional durability in Dr. Vinger’s study, withstanding impacts from baseballs traveling up to 94 miles per hour.1 This makes polycarbonate shooting glasses the superior choice for firearms use and other high-impact environments.
Not only are they lightweight and thin, but they also provide 10 to 20 times more impact resistance than standard lenses. Additionally, polycarbonate offers built-in UV-blocking lenses that shield against 100 percent of harmful rays up to 400 nanometers — making them one of the defining features of the best shooting glasses available today.
However, polycarbonate lenses — while highly impact-resistant — are more prone to surface scratches than glass or plastic alternatives. To preserve clarity and extend the life of your shooting eye protection, it’s strongly recommended to choose scratch-resistant shooting glasses. A high-quality scratch-resistant coating adds durability without compromising the lightweight feel and optical performance that make polycarbonate the go-to material for shooters.
Z87.1 Explained: What Makes Shooting Glasses Impact-Rated
The ANSI/ISEA Z87.1 standard sets crucial safety benchmarks for impact-resistant eyewear used in occupational, industrial and shooting environments. Updated in 2020, the standard introduced a hazards-based classification, distinguishing between non-impact and impact-rated eyewear. Products that meet the impact-rated criteria are marked with the Z87+ symbol — a designation that indicates suitability for high-risk environments like shooting ranges.
To earn the Z87+ rating, impact-rated shooting glasses must pass two rigorous tests:
- High Mass Test: A 500-gram pointed weight is dropped from 50 inches onto the lens to ensure it resists breakage and fracturing.
- High Velocity Test: A 0.25-inch steel ball is fired at the lens at 150 feet per second. The lens must remain intact and prevent contact with the “eye” on the testing form.
These tests validate the performance of Z87 safety glasses and make them a trusted choice for shooters seeking reliable range safety glasses.
Impact-rated eyewear is also designed with a wraparound frame to shield the eyes from debris, ricochets and side impacts. Prescription versions that meet these high standards are marked with the Z87-2+ designation. While Z87+ safety glasses offer excellent protection for most civilian and recreational applications, they may still fall short of the more rigorous demands met by ballistic eyewear built for military or tactical use.
Military-Grade Shooting Glasses: MIL-PRF-32432A Overview
When range conditions turn extreme or tactical operations push gear to its limits, not just any shooting glasses will do. Military-grade shooting eyewear must meet advanced testing protocols far beyond civilian standards.
MIL-PRF-32432A: Military Standards for Impact Testing
The U.S. Military Combat Eye Protection (MCEP) standard, known as MIL-PRF-32432A, enforces some of the most demanding requirements in the industry. This test subjects eyewear to a 0.15-caliber projectile traveling at 700 to 725 feet per second — nearly seven times the kinetic energy used in ANSI Z87.1 testing. Only true ballistic eyewear can withstand such extreme forces, making it suitable for combat and tactical training environments.
In addition to impact resistance, military-grade shooting glasses must meet standards for optical clarity, UV protection, anti-fog performance and environmental durability. For those in high-risk professions or extreme training conditions, tactical eye protection built to MIL-PRF-32432A is the top-tier choice.
How to Identify Military-Grade Shooting Glasses
If you’re looking to buy eyewear that meets military specifications, it’s important to know what markings and certifications to look for. Fortunately, there are clear ways to verify that your glasses are up to standard.
To verify military-grade protection, check the U.S. Army’s Authorized Protective Eyewear List (APEL). While APEL-rated shooting glasses are primarily issued to Department of Defense personnel, many of the same models are available to civilians as commercial equivalents. These ballistic eyewear options meet stringent MIL-PRF-32432A standards and provide a trusted solution for shooters who demand the highest level of tactical eye protection.
Many military-grade shooting glasses come equipped with interchangeable lenses, allowing users to adapt to changing light conditions in the field or at the range. This flexibility makes them ideal for tactical operations and outdoor shooting scenarios. For shooters seeking both performance and adaptability, interchangeable shooting lenses are a hallmark feature of the best shooting glasses available today.
Choosing the Right Eye Protection
Not all eye protection is created equal — and choosing the wrong gear could leave your vision vulnerable when it matters most. Understanding how to pair the right features with your environment is key to long-term safety and performance.
Match Your Gear to Your Shooting Environment
When selecting protective shooting eyewear, it’s important to match your gear to the demands of your activities. Look for Z87+ safety glasses to ensure your eyewear meets trusted impact-rated standards for range use or hunting. For more extreme or tactical environments, the highest level of safety comes from eyewear that meets both Z87+ and MIL-PRF-32432A standards. These dual-certified tactical shooting glasses offer the most comprehensive protection available, making them the ideal choice for serious shooters and professionals.
Prescription Options and Lens Materials That Matter
Fit, comfort and materials also play a vital role, especially for shooters who need vision correction. The right lens material can make the difference between minor damage and a career-ending injury.
Polycarbonate shooting glasses are a top-tier option, delivering outstanding impact resistance while naturally blocking harmful UV rays. For added durability, especially in rugged environments, choose lenses with a scratch-resistant coating to maintain clarity over time.
If you wear corrective lenses, consider investing in prescription shooting glasses that feature ballistic-rated polycarbonate lenses and meet the Z87-2+ standard — ensuring both vision correction and certified eye protection for shooting.
It’s important to understand that having lenses marked Z87+ or MIL-PRF-32432A doesn’t automatically mean the entire pair of eyewear meets those rigorous standards. Both certifications require the lens and frame system to function together to deliver complete impact protection, durability and coverage.
During high-impact testing, the frames must hold the lenses securely and maintain structural integrity. Additionally, the design must offer adequate coverage to fully protect the eyes from incoming hazards. If the frame fails — or lacks the proper specifications — the eyewear cannot be considered true impact-rated shooting glasses, even if the lenses themselves are compliant.
Always verify that you’re purchasing fully certified protective shooting eyewear.
A Few Final Tips for Keeping Your Vision Safe
- Check Certifications: Always confirm that your shooting safety glasses are marked with Z87+ or MIL-PRF-32432A. Look on the packaging and the frame itself. If you’re opting for military-grade protection, seek out APEL-rated shooting glasses, which are labeled “APEL” on both the frame and packaging.
- Prioritize Fit and Comfort: A poor fit reduces effectiveness. Choose eyewear that fits securely and comfortably, especially if you’re pairing it with helmets, earmuffs or other gear. Want to make sure your hearing is protected too? Here’s how to choose the right ear protection for shooting.
- Consider Versatility: Interchangeable lenses offer flexibility for changing light conditions and may eliminate the need for multiple pairs.
- Don’t Skimp on Quality: Your eyes are irreplaceable. Investing in high-quality tactical shooting glasses may cost more upfront, but the right protection pays for itself every time you step onto the range.
By investing in the best shooting glasses for your needs, you can enjoy every moment on the range or in the field with confidence. Whether you’re a casual plinker or a tactical professional, the right eye protection for shooting is vital to preserving your most valuable asset — your vision. Your eyes are irreplaceable. Protect them wisely by choosing certified, purpose-built shooting eye protection.
Looking to Train With Confidence?
Protecting your vision is only one part of being fully prepared. Whether you’re new to firearms or looking to refine your skills, proper training can make all the difference. Explore USCCA’s hands-on training classes and local events to build confidence, improve safety and learn from certified instructors.
Find a USCCA training class near you
Endnotes
(1) Paul F. Vinger, Leonard Parver, D. Virgil Alfaro III, Thomas Woods and Bernard S. Abrams, “Shatter Resistance of Spectacle Lenses,” The Journal of the American Medical Association 277, no. 2 (1997): 142-44.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Is ANSI Z87.1 good for shooting?
Yes, ANSI Z87.1 is the key safety standard for shooting glasses. Specifically, shooting eyewear marked with the Z87+ symbol meets the high-impact requirements necessary for firearms environments. Z87+ glasses are tested to withstand both high mass and high velocity impacts, making them a trusted choice for shooters.
What are the different eye protection ratings, and what do they mean?
There are several key eye protection standards:
- ANSI Z87.1: Sets safety benchmarks for impact-resistant eyewear in occupational, industrial and shooting settings
- Z87+: Indicates that the eyewear passed high-impact testing under the ANSI/ISEA Z87.1 standard
- Z87-2+: The designation for prescription eyewear that meets high-impact standards
- MIL-PRF-32432A: A U.S. military standard that requires eyewear to endure far more extreme testing conditions than ANSI
- APEL-listed: Indicates eyewear approved by the U.S. Army’s Authorized Protective Eyewear List
Each rating marks a different level of protection. For shooting, eyewear should be rated at minimum Z87+, and MIL-PRF-32432A if tactical or military-grade performance is needed.
Are shooting glasses the same as safety glasses?
Not necessarily. While shooting glasses are a type of safety glasses, not all safety glasses are suitable for shooting. Standard eyewear like fashion sunglasses may meet general safety standards, such as ANSI Z80.3, but they are not built to withstand the high-velocity impacts associated with firearms. Only glasses designed for shooting — such as those marked Z87+ or MIL-PRF-32432A — offer the necessary protection.
