It afforded vision and helped to save face (5)
I believe the answer is:
visor
This might be a double definition.
'it afforded vision and helped' is the first definition.
The definition suggests a singular noun which matches the answer.
'save face' is the second definition.
The definition and answer can be both man-made objects as well as being singular nouns.
Maybe there's a link between them I don't understand?
'to' is the link.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for visor that I've seen before include "Face armour" , "Part of an armour helmet" , "Face-protector" , "shade" , "Helmet's face-cover" .)