Kentek Corp. (www.kenteklaserstore.com) announced it would incorporate the new Fosta Fog-Free coating into its laser safety eyewear line. The addition of the coating is expected to reduce the potential for eye injury by increasing the user's ability to wear laser safety eyewear for longer periods of time. The new coating also will increase product life by reducing the tendency of polycarbonate lenses to scratch.

"Laser safety eyewear tends to be closer fitting than other types of safety eyewear in order to minimize exposure to peripheral laser radiation," said Kentek President, Tom MacMullin. "This reduces air flow around the lenses and increases the tendency to fog. Too often, laser operators remove their eyewear and expose themselves to potential injury. Our approach is to enhance the ability to wear laser safety eyewear for longer periods of time by offering more comfortable styles and reducing this propensity for fog."

Recently introduced by polymer optics manufacturer Fosta-Tek Optics Inc., the new Fosta Fog-Free coating was developed in response to military and European eyewear standards for improved anti-fog and abrasion resistance performance. The coating utilizes a flexible polyhardcoat with permanent anti-fog and anti-static properties built in. Moisture dissipates prior to condensing as fog on the lens surface due to the coating's chemistry and low surface energy.

Fosta-Tek said the coating is durable enough to stand up to repeated cleanings with hot water and soap or household detergents, and is a more permanent coating than most other anti-fog coatings and has a longer useful life in the field.