Prescription Safety Glasses Buying Guide
If you work in an industry like welding, construction or manufacturing, eye safety is a top concern. However, if you also need prescription lenses to see, regular safety glasses won’t cut it. Custom prescription safety glasses offer visual clarity while protecting your eyes from dust, debris and chemicals.
In this guide, we explain the features and benefits of prescription safety glasses, who should wear them and what to look for when buying them.
WHAT ARE PRESCRIPTION SAFETY GLASSES?
Prescription safety glasses are specially designed glasses that provide clear vision according to your prescription while also meeting safety standards to protect your eyes while working in a job or hobby with an elevated risk for eye injuries. Prescription safety glasses are available in a wide range of styles and are custom sized for a perfect fit.
If you’re wondering where to buy prescription safety glasses, look no further: Visionworks offers a large selection of safety glasses to suit every workplace need.
WHO SHOULD WEAR PRESCRIPTION SAFETY GLASSES?
In 2020, more than 18 thousand U.S. workers experienced an on-the-job eye injury or illness that took them away from work for at least one day. Safety experts and eye doctors agree that 90% of these eye injuries can be prevented by wearing protective eyewear. Therefore, anyone who works in an environment that presents a risk of particles, chemicals or sparks causing injury to the eyes should wear safety glasses.
Job roles that typically require safety glasses include:
- First responders
- Industrial, factory and warehouse workers
- Medical and laboratory employees
- Contractors and construction workers
- Landscaping workers
- Auto repair technicians and mechanics
- Farmers
- Miners
- Welders
- Anyone who works around heavy machinery, sharp objects, fire or dangerous conditions or materials
If you’re unsure whether your job requires safety glasses, consult your manager, employer or eye doctor about workplace eye wellness.
WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF PRESCRIPTION SAFETY GLASSES?
From protecting your eyes at work to eliminating discomfort and inconvenience, prescription safety glasses offer numerous benefits.
KEEP YOUR EYES SAFE
The most significant benefit of prescription safety glasses is that they keep your eyes safe on the job! Our safety glasses are made with durable frames, impact-resistant lenses and, if needed, side shields. They protect your eyes from debris, preventing foreign objects from entering your eye and damaging your vision. Such protection is crucial for anyone working around dirt, debris or chemicals.
COME IN STYLISH OPTIONS
People tend to avoid wearing safety glasses because they don’t know attractive styles are available. However, not wearing protective eyewear poses a considerable safety risk. At Visionworks, we offer more than 20 different custom safety glasses frames that are both functional and stylish. These are safety glasses you will actually want to wear!
PROVIDE AN ALTERNATIVE TO CONTACTS
Some people think it’s necessary to wear contacts on the job so they can wear the standard safety glasses supplied by their employer. Custom prescription safety glasses provide an alternative to contacts, which is a relief for people who prefer glasses.
ELIMINATE THE "GOGGLES OVER GLASSES" STRUGGLE
Prescription safety glasses are the best of both worlds. They combine your vision prescription with lenses and a frame that meet national safety standards. Merging the two eliminates the need to wear chunky and heavy goggles over glasses, which can be uncomfortable on the job.
ARE MADE TO YOUR MEASUREMENTS
Prescription safety glasses are custom-fitted and made for your measurements, which means they are comfortable and stay on securely.
OFFER INCREASED COMFORT
Unlike goggles, which can slip off and feel heavy, lightweight custom safety glasses give you a comfortable fit all day long. As an added benefit, prescription safety glasses can even help protect you from seasonal eye allergies.
PROVIDE CLEARER VISION
Goggles can fog up and distort your vision, which presents a huge problem when you’re trying to focus on work. Custom safety glasses provide clear vision with your prescription and don’t fog up like goggles.
ALLOW MORE CONVENIENCE
Prescription safety glasses with detachable side shields offer ease, convenience and versatility. Simply detach the shields after work, and you have a stylish pair of frames appropriate for any occasion.
CAN YOU JUST WEAR SAFETY GLASSES OVER YOUR PRESCRIPTION GLASSES?
You can, but it’s awkward and can lead to cumbersome problems on the job. Layering safety glasses over your regular eyewear may not create an ideal fit to protect your eyes. It can also lead to issues with fogging and visibility.
HOW MUCH DO PRESCRIPTION SAFETY GLASSES COST?
If you’re worried about the cost of prescription safety glasses, you’ll be pleased to know they’re more affordable than you might assume. Visionworks offers price ranges to fit any budget, including some of the most affordable options available. Plus, our large selection of prescription safety glasses is eligible for our special offers and 100-Day Guarantee.
ARE EMPLOYERS REQUIRED TO PAY FOR PRESCRIPTION SAFETY GLASSES?
When wearing protective eyewear is crucial to providing a safe work environment, Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA) guidelines generally mandate that employers must provide appropriate personal protective equipment at no cost to the employee. This can include prescription safety glasses under some circumstances; however, in many cases, they are exempt from this requirement because they are considered more personal than most protective equipment and often used outside the workplace.
If you’re not sure whether your job will pay for your prescription safety glasses, consult your manager or employer.
WHAT TO LOOK FOR IN PRESCRIPTION SAFETY GLASSES
Protective eyewear from Visionworks is made in the United States by leading manufacturers in industrial safety. All prescription safety glasses are designed to meet or exceed American National Standards Institute (ANSI) Z87.1 standards and OSHA requirements for impact resistance.
The ANSI Z87.1 rating is a certification system for safety glasses based on common hazards such as impact, heat, chemicals, dust and radiation encountered in the workplace.
OSHA standards for protective eyewear address performance criteria for fit, impact and shatter resistance, lens thickness, lens shade, UV protection and visual quality.
In addition to basic safety requirements, you can look for several useful features in your prescription safety glasses to suit the conditions of your workplace.
5 KINDS OF PROTECTION
Visionworks offers over 20 different safety glasses frame options that fall into five different kinds of protection. No matter what your job demands, we have prescription safety glasses to meet your needs.
PLASTIC LENSES
Custom safety glasses can be made with plastic lenses for a lightweight, impact-resistant option. Plastic lenses conform to the proper safety standards for thickness to provide adequate protection.
POLYCARBONATE LENSES
Polycarbonate lenses are the most popular choice for prescription safety glasses because of their impact-resistant properties. Polycarbonate is lighter than plastic and has inherent UV absorption capabilities.
NON-CONDUCTIVE MATERIALS
Safety glasses frames are also available with non-conductive construction, allowing them to be safely worn around electrical currents. Non-conductive safety glasses are an excellent option for electricians, technicians and mechanics.
BUILT-IN SIDE SHIELDS
Built-in side shields ensure your eyes are protected from every angle while on the job.
DETACHABLE SIDE SHIELDS
Detachable side shields can be removed, making it easy to transition your safety glasses into stylish frames when you leave the job site.
VISIT A VISIONWORKS LOCATION TO GET FITTED FOR YOUR CUSTOM SAFETY GLASSES
Your eyes are one of your most important assets at home and at work. Give them the best protection possible with comfortable and stylish prescription safety glasses from Visionworks. Shop for safety glasses online now or schedule an appointment at your local Visionworks today!
Related Articles
Information received through Visionworks® content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice, medical recommendations, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your eye doctor, physician, or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.
Claims regarding blue light efficiency are supported by manufacturer-provided test results.
