Colors: a 200 mW green laser beam is FIVE times brighter than a 200 mW red laser beam and SEVEN times brighter than a 200 mW purple laser beam. A blue laser needs 33% less power and tends to have less visible follow-back (illuminated dust in the air).

For glasses and goggles generally a full visual range is most desirable and the higher the optical density, the more attenuation and the less damage done to eyes. If possible choose ones that provide protection from frequencies of 200 to 2000 manometers with an optical density of +4.

Note that safety glasses will distort the perceived colors of one's view and are really intended for casual protection – in other words, not for use when welding or cutting with a laser, for example. In those applications since the primary frequency of the laser in known it is possible to select special eyewear.