How to Pick the Right Rx Safety Glasses for Your Job or Activity

06.29.2016
How to Pick the Right Rx Safety Glasses for Your Job or Activity

The American Academy of Ophthalmology reported that 90 percent of all eye injuries occurred because workers and athletes did not wear Rx safety glasses or any type of eye safety protection for that matter. There is no set time for eye injuries, as they can occur anywhere — at work, at home, or outside.

By law, companies are required to supply their workers with safety glasses, but not many people are aware about the importance of protecting one’s eyes. Did you know over 40% of vision-related injuries that occur each year are due to recreational activities such as riding a motorcycle or playing sports such as ice hockey?

For this reason, people need to invest in a quality pair of safety glasses to offer their eyes protection. How to select the right eye safety glasses is the first question asked by people searching for protective eyewear. If you have been asking the same question, follow this “how-to” guide to make the right selection:

1) Understand the Types of Hazards You Will Encounter

To make the right decision, you need to understand the types of hazards you will encounter. Here is a list of hazards you may encounter at work or outside:

Motorcyclists, mountain climbers, bikers, hikers, shooting enthusiast, and more need to protect their eyes from dirt or particles they may encounter on their journey. Their require prescription sports goggles or Rx motorcycle glasses, or shooting glasses for shooters to protect their eyes.

In some professions, encountering more than one hazard may be true. It is important for people to recognize the multiple hazards, and then make the right choice on what type of protective eyewear is right for them.

2) Know the Types of Different Lenses Incorporated in Protective Eyewear

Once you have a clear understanding on the different types of hazards that require protective eyewear, you need to learn about the three different types of lenses available. They are:

Prescription Safety Glasses

3) Visit Your Eye Doctor for an Eye Test

Before buying safety eyeglasses, you need to visit your eye doctor. Your eye doctor will determine if you have poor or good eyesight. If you already know you have poor eyesight and you wear contact lenses or eyeglasses to help you see, you need to place an order for prescription work or sports goggles.

4) The Safety Glasses Comply with the ANSI Standard

The last and final step is to ensure the safety goggles comply with American National Standards Institute. Non-prescription eyewear needs to comply with the “Z87” or “Z87+” and prescription eyewear needs to comply with the “Z87-2.” You will find the mark on the temples and the frame.

Select protective eyewear after determining the reason you need them and follow this guide to help pick the right safety glasses.

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