Safety glasses are a must in an industrial workplace such as a warehouse, construction site, or any other environment with a risk of eye injury.  However, safety glasses are not a universal fit for everyone, especially prescription safety glasses. There are many things you need to consider to make sure you have the right features that match the risks that you will face in your environment.

Finding the right pair of safety glasses for you means looking at everything from lens materials and coatings to frame styles and fit.

This is why it’s important to get your prescription safety glasses from a reputable local company like Blue Collar Optics. being local, you’re able to come in take a look at the frames and talk to our consultants that have on average, 30 years of experience. They can sit down with you let you describe your workplace and then tell you what options you need and what features you don’t. This way you don’t spend money you don’t need to spend on features that aren’t required for your job.

For example, if you work at a construction company but you’re always in the corporate office and never on a site, safety glasses aren’t a priority for you. However, if you might have to visit a site every now and then, a basic pair of impact-resistant glasses might be better than a more advanced pair. In this case, you’re really just looking for minimal protection since your risk is very low.

But before we go further into why you should choose Blue Collar Optics, let’s look at what goes into getting the right safety glasses.

What Are The Proper Prescription Safety Glasses For Your Situation?

Selecting the best prescription safety glasses is a major factor in how well you’re protected against eye injuries. When anyone is just buying regular safety glasses, it’s pretty straightforward and you can find them anywhere. For example, when buying Wiley X glasses, that are impact resistant with polarized lenses from the manufacturer, that’s easy.

However, when you’re needing prescription lenses in those Wiley X frames that’s where you have to be a little more discerning with who you go with. You also have to factor in your specific situation and circumstances. When making your selection, there are a few things to take into account such as what type of work you do, the environment in which you work, and personal preferences.

Prescription lenses are going to be the most crucial component of whichever glasses you choose. There are a few different variations of lenses, each with its own unique protections. Impact-resistant and scratch-resistant lenses are the two most popular types. It’s about more than just corrective vision, it’s about matching injury prevention with the risks that are present.

Take for example impact-resistant lenses. They feature thicker material that can withstand high-impact collisions. On the other hand, you may be looking at scratch-resistant lenses, which have an added coating that helps prevent scratches.

Also, when selecting safety glasses it’s essential to take into account your personal comfort preferences. Make sure they’re comfortable to wear and don’t hinder your vision. Additionally, think about the style of frames and whether lens features such as polarized or non-polarized lenses best suit your needs. Not all options are going to be beneficial to every situation—they could be a hindrance.

Types of Prescription Lenses and Options

When it comes to safety glasses, you might think they’re limited to the style of regular glasses with added strength. However, there are quite a few different styles of lenses that also come with unique features.

Even though the most popular type is the traditional style, there are quite a few to choose from.

Clear Lens Safety Glasses – Clear lenses are the most common type of safety glasses, providing great protection from flying debris and other hazards. They come in various styles such as wrap-around and anti-fog options to suit any preference.

Prescription Lenses –  Perfect for those who require vision correction but still wish to wear protective eyewear to safeguard their eyes from potential hazards. There are plenty of frames that will accept special prescription lenses for most corrections.

Side Shields – Side shields attach to the sides of existing glasses or goggles and provide extra protection from flying debris and other hazards. They’re an ideal option if you need more coverage but don’t want to wear full-face shields.

Full-Face Shields – Full-face shields offer the highest level of protection from flying debris and other hazards. They cover your entire face, including your eyes, nose, and mouth. This type of shield is perfect for those working in hazardous environments or with special needs.

Safety Features You Should Be Informed Of

When purchasing safety glasses, there are a few features that can impact safety that you should know about and take into consideration. There are industry standards that are important such as the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) rating, which guarantees they comply with minimum safety requirements set forth by government authorities. This helps guarantee a quality product.

The Z87.1 section of ANSI standards refers to the standards for Occupational and Educational Personal Eye and Face Protection Devices. By adhering to these requirements, personal eye and face protection devices provide adequate shielding against impact, non-ionizing radiation, liquid splashes, and more.

With ANSI Z87.1 certification, safety eyewear is chosen based on what best protects workers against specific workplace hazards. Common risks include:

• Blunt Force Impact
• UV Radiation
• Liquid Droplets & Splashes
• Dust
• Tiny Particles.

ANSI Z87.1 requires clear and unmistakable lens and frame markings to simplify the selection and boost compliance rates. They are also available with a prescription correction.

Lens Type & Material

There are three primary types of safety lenses:

• Clear lenses are best used indoors or in low light conditions and offer typical visibility.
• Tinted lenses have a slight tint to them to protect your eyes from UV rays while offering improved visibility in bright conditions.
• Photochromic lenses have a special reactive film embedded in them that automatically adjusts to changing light conditions. This gives them the flexibility to be used both indoors and outside.

Different materials offer unique advantages and some drawbacks depending on preferences. In general, there are three main lens materials available:

Polycarbonate- One of the most widely used lens materials in safety glasses, polycarbonate is lightweight and shatter-resistant, making it suitable for most environments.

Trivex Lenses offer similar impact protection but due to their composition have much better optical clarity. Constructed from a urethane-based pre-polymer, these lenses are perfect for environments where you must be able to see minute details.

Tempered Glass- This lens material is extremely strong and highly resistant to shattering. One drawback is that due to the added toughness, it’s heavier than polycarbonate so it may not be ideal for all people.

No matter which lens material you opt for, make sure it meets all OSHA standards for safety eyewear or you may not be getting the minimum protection your eyes need.

What Sets Blue Collar Prescription Safety Glasses Apart?

Now that we’ve gone over a lot of the different features of safety glasses that you’ve read before in our previous blogs as well, let’s take a look at what sets us apart.

Sure, you could go online and plug in your prescription to some website where everything is manufactured in a completely different state or even a different country. What if your lenses are not correct? What if the frame is defective? Now you’re stuck waiting for a replacement. Who’s to say that the replacement is any better?

We’re local, based right here in Houston. So if you have a problem you can come straight to us and we’ll make it right.

Our warranty is rock solid. We even have an optional “Real Life Warranty” that covers anything and we’ll give you a one-time replacement. You don’t even have to return the original pair that’s damaged we’ll just get you out of replacement, because life happens.

We have experienced vision consultants to make sure you get informed on what will work best. And we carry only top-quality frames & lenses, paired with unrivaled customer service. Contact us today!