EYEWEAR

Technological advances in materials have proven to save lives of warfighters and mitigate injuries; however, eye protection has had limited advancement since polycarbonate lenses entered the market decades ago. While the Advanced Combat Helmet provides light and comfortable head protection, shrapnel and IEDs cause serious eye injuries, requiring the DOD to spend over $2.3 billion annually to treat. Tardigrade Industries is developing the OCELLUS™, a lightweight goggle providing fragment projectile protection nearly equal to that provided by a full helmet or body armor... While the Army's current eyewear protection standard (MIL-PRF 32432A) has increased in recent years, improvements have only been marginal because they are all based solely on polycarbonate lenses. While evolving threats in theatre operations pose serious risk, polycarbonate lenses do not provide adequate fragment protection. Innovative new materials, technologies, and manufacturing processes are needed to..