No eye protection required in Texas.. Or I don't remember anything being mentioned about it in the motorcycle book. I think they just changed the helmet law, used to be you had to prove that you had a minimum of $10k in life insurance to ride with no helmet. Now, I think its just a registration thing, pay $5, you get to ride with no brain bucket. Thats just from what I've heard, though.
If you've ever been whapped by a decent sized bug at 80-100mph, you'd know that wearing eye protection is just common sense.
You should always ride with a helmet, reguardless.