Your eyes and vision are among your most valuable assets and safeguarding them should always be a priority. While many of us remember to protect our eyes with sunglasses, we often overlook the importance of workplace safety. There's a common misconception that only those in hazardous jobs need safety glasses, but eye injuries can happen to workers in any field. Taking steps to protect your eyes benefits everyone, regardless of the work environment.
What Are the Main Types of Safety Glasses?
Safety glasses come in various designs, typically made from metal or plastic with clear lenses to ensure unobstructed vision. Some are intended to be worn on their own, providing primary eye protection, while others are designed to be worn over traditional safety glasses for added protection.
The most commonly used ones are:
Glasses with side shields: Reminiscent of traditional eyewear but with shields affixed to the rim to protect foreign objects and substances from entering from the sides.
Goggles: What we usually think of when talking about safety glasses. These cover the areas above, below, in front of and surrounding the eyes for complete protection.
Face shields and masks: Designed to be worn above regular safety glasses option and are meant to protect more than the eye area.
What Can Safety Glasses Protect You From?
Chemical and Biohazard Sprays, Splashes, and Fumes
Whether you're working in STEM experimenting with different solutions, in healthcare handling bodily fluids, or as an artist using various materials in a studio, even a small spill can lead to significant harm. Whether dealing with acids, solvents, or biohazardous fluids, wearing safety glasses can protect your eyes from foreign liquids and vapours, helping to prevent irritation, disease transmission, retinal damage, and other serious issues.
Assaults from Objects or Debris
Ideally, your eyes should always be free from foreign bodies, but everyday situations could cause complications for your vision even without a traumatic eye injury. From dust particles lifting while deep cleaning a house to insects flying into your eyes while working outside, even the smallest speck can irritate the eyes or damage the cornea.
Safety glasses are also crucial for preventing eye injuries caused by flying debris such as metal shards, wood dust, and other hazardous particles. By blocking these objects from entering the eye, they help prevent serious injuries that could lead to complications, including permanent vision loss.
I Have Bad Eyesight Already, Can I Still Wear Safety Glasses?
Although it's possible to wear safety glasses over contact lenses or regular eyewear, this may not provide optimal eye protection. If you're in need of safety glasses for work, it’s a good idea to visit an optometrist for an eye exam and to be fitted for prescription safety glasses that offer both clear vision and maximum protection.
On top of ensuring the right fit, an optometrist can also prescribe lenses for your safety glasses, ensuring your optimal safety. Prescription safety glasses are typically available in the following types of lenses:
Single vision
Bifocal
Trifocal
Progressive
I Need Safety Glasses for Work, Where Should I Start?
Your first stop for safety glasses should be a licensed optometrist such as Dr. Holly Parker in St. Albert. With the help of an optometrist, you can find the best possible fit for your type of work and hazard exposure and get an eye exam at the same time if you require prescription safety glasses.
If you are in the St. Albert area and are considering new safety glasses, contact us to book an appointment.
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