Four grades of gadolinium doped lead borosilicate glasses were prepared using the normal melt-quenching process as well as a free gadolinium sample. The structural changes induced by Gd3+ ions content in the network of the prepared glasses were examined using FTIR and density. The analysis of the structural measurements indicates that the Gd2O3, evidently, has an obvious effect on the lead borosilicate glass network. Analysis of the optical data reveals the compositional dependence of the optical band gap and Urbach energy. Variation in these optical parameters has been associated with the structural changes occurring in the glass network with the increase in Gd3+ ions content. The band gap values of the considered glasses, which varied between 1.19 and 2.75 eV reflected its semiconducting nature. Gamma ray attenuation parameters, fast neutron removal cross section, and thermal neutrons cross section results reflected the role of Gd3+ as an enhancer to the shielding behaviour of the synthesized lead borosilicate glasses. The low band gap and efficient attenuation criteria of the investigated glass matrix make them a high interest for optical and shielding applications.