What type of protective gear is used to shield a welder's eyes?

The appropriate type of protective gear for shielding a welder's eyes is welding goggles. Welding goggles are specifically designed to protect against the bright light and harmful rays produced during the welding process, which can cause serious eye damage if not properly shielded. They typically come with tinted lenses that help to mitigate the intensity of the light emitted during welding, as well as provide protection from flying sparks and debris.

Welding helmets, while also effective in protecting the eyes and face, cover a larger area and provide additional protection to the entire head and neck. They usually contain a dark lens that can automatically adjust to varying light levels during welding. However, in this specific context where the focus is solely on eye protection, welding goggles are most direct in reference to eye coverage.

The other options do not serve the primary purpose of eye protection in the welding process. A vise grip welding clamp and a wheel puller are tools used for different mechanical tasks and do not offer any protective function for the welder.