Best Safety Glasses To Keep Eye Injuries at Bay

When you are considering what safety equipment you’ll need for your job, you could easily pick any safety glasses off the rack and call it a day! But will they sustain in an unlikely accident and provide the protection your eyes need? No, they won’t! And that’s why we have compiled all the essential information you need when buying your own pair of the best protective eyewear.

Safety Glasses: A Potential Barrier to Eye Injuries & Hazards

Your eyes are extremely sensitive, and any foreign contaminant landing in your cornea or extreme impact can cause serious issues. So let’s explore the potential risks and safety hazards that can occur at any time.

Mechanical hazards

Major eye injuries occur during mechanical tasks with machines, tools, and gadgets that produce particles and splinters. For example, mechanical jobs such as drilling, cutting, and sawing can land tiny wood chips, splinters, and dust particles in your eyes.

Radiation exposure

If the nature of your job requires you to stay outdoors for longer periods, you can be exposed to UV radiation as well. But, the radiation isn’t just limited to sunlight exposure but wielding and light-generated operations also negatively impact your eyes. Plus, optical radiation is harmful, and hence you need safety glasses.

Temperature exposure

You also need safety eyeware to guard your corneas against any hot liquid splashes, steam, and high temperature. Direct exposure to high temperatures and heat can result in external or internal eye injuries.

Impact

The highly probable cause of eye injuries can also be attributed to accidental blow, impact, and force.

For more information on why it’s important to keep your eyes protected while working, check out this video by Stumpy Nubs.

Essential Considerations When Narrowing Down the Best Safety Glasses

The best protective eyewear must adhere to a few considerations to ensure that you are getting the maximum safety. Let’s take a look.

Determine the lens material that is right for you

Your protective eyewear is as good as the quality and material of your lens. A highly durable lens will provide maximum protection to your eyes. Therefore, the material of a safety glasses’ lens plays an essential role. Quality lenses are manufactured from diverse materials such as polycarbonate, optical glass, acrylic, and polyurethane.

Find the lens material best for you

Polycarbonate lenses are the most favored option in safety glasses due to their resistance to scratches, usual wear & tear, and lesser weight than other materials such as optical glass and acrylic. Another well-liked, albeit expensive option is the NXT polyurethane lens that offers clear visibility, a lightweight design, and is resistant to direct impact.

Consider the aesthetics & comfort

Who says that safety gear has to be boring or monotonous? The glasses’ ergonomic design aesthetics and comfort are essential features that make the best safety glasses stand out from the crowd. The absence of soft padding on the nose grips can be a real pain and compromise your comfort level. An adjustable headband, temple reinforcement, and snug fit contribute to the user’s comfort. Additionally, if you like a hint of versatility, you can opt for color variations in your glasses. Consider the proper saftey rating
The primary aim of safety glasses is to provide protection. There must be established certifications and rating standards to ensure that the product meets its claims. The highly accurate and acceptable safety certification throughout the US market is in compliance with ANSI Z87 standard. Certification-compliant safety goggles basically offer beefed-up protection against accidental injuries since they’re tried and tested.

Product durability

What good is a pair of protective glasses if it cracks once the first splinter hits the lens or the frame wears off with substandard material? So, instead of wasting your precious bucks on low-quality safety goggles, look for durable materials that will last through rigorous uses. When you are working with heavy-duty materials like wood, and metal, you need durable frames and lenses to sustain the contact and impact with debris, dust, and splinters.

Safety Eyeware: Features That Should Matter

UV protection is a plus

UV exposure to your eyes can have a long-term negative impact on corneal deterioration, muscular weakness, sun injury, and cataracts. Therefore, buying safety glasses that offer protection against detrimental UV rays will maintain your visual health in the long run.

Peripheral coverage = enhanced safety

The best safety glasses that just takes care of your cornea isn’t enough. Instead, you need an all-rounder safety goggle that would also shield your peripheral vision. Therefore, get eyewear that properly covers the sides of your eyes as well.

Dust & fog-resistant lens is a must

High-quality lenses that optical clarity, but this feature can easily wear off due to external conditions such as dust accumulation, contact with rough particles. Therefore, opt for dust-resistant lenses to allow for clear vision all the time. Similarly, anti-fog lenses are another essential feature that keeps your eyes safe and ensures that your vision is not compromised. The anti-fog film prevents the moisture buildup enhancing the glass’s functionality.

Don’t forget about your prescription

If you are a person who wears glasses everyday, you are still going to want a pair of safety glasses. There are a lot of safety glasses that are available with prescription lenses. If you’d prefer to wear your prescription glasses on the job, there are also options that will fit over and keep your eyes safe.

American National Standards Institute

Ensure you are looking for protective eyeware that is backed by the American National Standards Institute.

Tips To Maintain Your Safety Glasses

When you invest in quality glasses, it is also essential to properly maintain them. Here are a few tips and tricks to make sure that protective eyewear serves its purpose.

• Regular clean-up is a must if you wish to maintain the longevity of your safety glasses. You can run the safety glass through clean water to ensure debris and dust removal. Some safety eyeware can take a light detergent without destroying the fog coating.
• Some users even opt for lens cleaners for a thorough cleanse.
• Mishandling and improper storage will reduce the life span of safety glasses. Plus, it is the most obvious cause of scratches and abrasions on the lens. Therefore, you should store your glasses in protective boxes, microfiber pouches, or wrap them in a soft cloth.
• It is common for temple arms and side panels of the safety glasses to accumulate grime and dust, so keep a close watch on these parts with a proper cleaning schedule.