In the late 1980s, advances in laser technology and the growing use of laser beams in medical, technical, and physical applications created the need for high‑quality, technologically advanced protective eyewear. In partnership with the optics company Rupp und Hubrach, a joint subsidiary named LaserVision GmbH was founded in Forchheim in 1987, specializing in the production and marketing of laser safety eyewear. In 2004, uvex acquired a 100 percent stake in the company. Two years later, the uvex safety group took a 60 percent shareholding in the US‑based laser safety specialist trinity technologies.