Too many times I have come across situations in a laser room and the operator of the laser isnt wearing their safety glasses. When I have asked why, it was either they dont think that they can have a clear view or that the glasses were too heavy or they just didnt like them. I find this hard to believe that someone would risk going blind than to pay $150-$250 for a safe and comfortable pair of laser safety eyewear.
There are many different styles to choose from, and many frames as well. The biggest difference on pricing is due to the glass or polycarbonate shield. The frames are basically the same pricing, but depending on if you go with glass or polycarbonate lenses, that will be the main difference in pricing. The glass are a bit more expensive mainly because of the better viewing. The down side to the glass is the weight.They can be 2-3 times heavier than polycarbonate. Polycarbonate is a fancy word for plastic. The poly lenses are light and less expensive than glass.
The drawback is they are more prone to scratches. When trying to choose a lens keep in mind the amount of time that you will be wearing them. You will also want to get them from a reputable laser goggle distributor. Most will offer a warranty of some kind. Losing your eyesite because of carelessness happens too much and can easily be prevented. Please remember that you can never be too safe when working around lasers.