An eye protection apparatus includes a selectively darkenable element, such as a liquid crystal panel, and a controller that causes transmission of a darken signal that causes the selectively darkenable element to darken in conjunction with an emission of light, such as intense diffuse light that is used in some medical procedures. Protection against both laser light and diffuse light may be provided in the same eye protection apparatus. The darken signal may be transmitted prior to the emission of the diffuse light, and cause the selectively darkenable element to achieve a darkened state prior to emission of the diffuse light.