A laser reflecting has a low transmittance at one or more laser wavelengths while substantially transmitting all other wavelengths in the spectral range of interest, is coated on one or both sides of an absorbing or non-absorbing substrate. A laser reflecting filter on both sides of an absorbing substrate can result in an enhancement of the absorption of laser light by multiple reflections of the laser light in the absorbing substrate. The high transmittance of the laser-reflecting filter at non-laser wavelengths results in a relatively high overall transmittance through the coated substrate. In the specific case of laser reflecting coatings on a lens to protect an eye, this allows a high luminous transmittance and good color discrimination.