Prescription Safety Glasses

While prescription safety glasses can be coated for polarized lenses, we do not recommend them. LCD screens, which are commonly used in work environments where safety is important, can be difficult to read with polarized lenses. The coating on polarized lenses and LCD screens works against each other, making the screen appear very dark.

The Z87 standard is for safety glasses that have been tested for impact. This standard does not have anything to do with polarization, blocking UV rays, or resisting chemicals. The “+” designation next to Z87 means that your eyewear has been tested for high impact. “Z87-2” is used for prescription lenses.

It’s important to buy safety eyewear that is rated for use in the type of environments you work in. Other labels include: “D3” – resistance to chemical droplets, “D4” – resistance to chemical splash, “D5” – protection from fine dust, “W” – eyewear for welding, “U” – ultraviolet protection, and “R” – protection from infrared light.

Generally, prescription glasses and safety glasses aren’t the same things, which is why prescription safety glasses are necessary. The main difference comes from the types of materials used to make lenses. Prescription eyewear corrects vision, while safety glasses resist or protect against various hazards.

Finding the best safety glasses requires you to get to know the options. It is important to find safety glasses that are ANSI-rated to feel confident that you are getting the high-quality options you need.

The eyewear standard set by OSHA requires the use of eye protection if you are exposed to any type of flying object, caustic liquids, chemical vapors, liquid chemicals, and other dangerous substances.

The goal of protective eyewear is to keep your eyes safe. Because of this, the lenses mustn’t scratch. Modern safety glasses won’t scratch to ensure you maintain quality vision.

There is a myth that if you wear safety glasses all day, it may harm your vision. However, this isn’t the case. Today’s safety eyewear will not damage your vision.

While modern safety glasses are designed to last a long time, they need to be replaced at least once per year. This will ensure they continue providing the required protection.

ANSI is short for the America National Standards Institute. This body sets standards for various products to help ensure they meet a minimum level of effectiveness. When a pair of safety glasses are ANSI-rated, that means they have been shown to meet the standards set by ANSI for a specific rating.

For safety glasses, the ANSI ratings are typically related to protection from impacts and other eye hazards. If you are using your glasses for eye safety, you likely want to find a pair that are rated by ANSI or a similar body. These typically offer the best protection for your eyes.

Z87 is a standard set by ANSI for eye protection from glasses. Safety Gear Pro offers Z87 prescription safety glasses in addition to our non-prescription safety glasses.

The standard covers impact, splash, dust, and optical radiation protection. These are separate sub-standards and a pair may be rated for impact but not optical radiation protection, for example. Most ANSI Z87.1 prescription safety glasses have a marking at the temple indicating their rating. Additionally, our product pages include this information for all pairs of frames.

OSHA requires a Z87 rating for work glasses. However, there have been several revisions to the standard and not all are accepted by OSHA. Check with the agency for the latest information on what you need for the workplace.

All our polycarbonate lenses are ANSI Z87 rated and meet the standard. Check the product page to ensure that the pair of safety glasses you are interested in is appropriately rated.

Safety Gear Pro offers a polycarbonate lens option that can make prescription safety glasses Z87-rated. This is available on many of our frames but not all. Please select the “Add Prescription Lenses” option to ensure that a pair of frames has a prescription safety glasses Z87 polycarbonate option.

You can customize some styles of safety goggles with a limited range of prescription lenses. Other goggles may be available with step diopter lenses. Medical professionals will require lenses that allow for the highest levels of visual accuracy and optical clarity. Check to see whether goggles can accommodate your prescription.

Order goggles online for occupational or athletic eye protection. Browse eyewear by category or compare frames made for a particular sport, such as swimming goggles. Make sure goggles meet relevant safety ratings, such as the American National Standards Institute Z87.1 standard or a specific ASTM International sports safety standard.

Goggles can be safer than glasses under some conditions. This style of eyewear provides more complete physical coverage of the eyes and surrounding bone structure than safety glasses with arms or temples. A foam cushion or seal can limit the external objects or light that make direct contact with the eyes.

Many lab safety goggles are ANSI Z87.1 rated for impact resistance and protection from other safety hazards. Sports goggles may meet sport-specific ASTM standards for eye protection, such as the F803-19 standard for several racket and ball sports or the F689-10(2018) standard specification for goggles for skiing and snowboarding.

Medical safety goggles may outperform glasses in terms of comprehensive eye protection from biological hazards, impact, irritants, and damaging optical radiation. Goggles can also help reduce eye irritation caused by prolonged exposure to chlorine or salt in water or light reflecting off the surface of snow or water.

The best safety goggles have a safety rating relevant to your intended application or use. Look for goggles that have a frame and band or strap that fit your face and head. Goggles must fit properly to provide the highest level of eye protection from impact and other safety risks.