An eye protection device for a welding mask to the like includes a welding activity detection circuit (200) that is configured to detect welding activity, and a filter driver (400). The filter driver (400) is configured to: (i) control a controllable optical filter (500) to be in an undarkened state if the welding activity detection circuit does not detect welding activity, (ii) control the optical filter (500) to be in a darkened state if the welding activity detection circuit detects welding activity, and at least one of: (iii) control a transition period from (a) a beginning of transition of the optical filter (500) from the darkened state to the undarkened state to (b) an end of transition of the optical filter (500) from the darkened state to the undarkened state to include a gradient； (iv) insert a user-selected delay between (a) an end of welding activity detection and (b) the beginning of transition of the optical filter (500) from the darkened state to the undarkened state； (v) cause variation of light transmission values of the optical filter (500) between the darkened state and the undarkened state based on varying brightness detected by a brightness sensor during the transition period； or (vi) control the transition period to be at least 10 milliseconds.
