Safety Lenses

Safety should be our number one priority, particularly when it comes to our eyes. Fortunately our eyes are very easy to protect with the right pair of safety glasses. Our eyes are incredibly delicate and very easily damaged, so it essential that if we are in any sort of hazardous environment that we ensure they are adequately protected.

Safety lenses sold in the USA must pass numerous testing processes before being sold. The testing and standards are set by the ANSI (American National Standards Institute). If the safety lenses have a Z87 (basic impact rating) or Z87+ (high impact rating) marking on them then you can be sure that they will provide you with adequate safety protection.

Most modern safety lenses, both prescription and non-prescription are made from polycarbonate. Polycarbonate is much lighter and shatter-resistant than most other materials that have been used. Polycarbonate is used as the material for windscreens on jet planes, and can even withstand bullets. However, polycarbonate safety lenses do scratch more easily than other materials so it is advised you purchase safety lenses with an anti-scratch hard coating on them to prolong their lifespan.

 

 

However not all good safety lenses need to be made from polycarbonate. Glass lenses are also popular, and these have the benefit of not scratching easily, can be used around harsh chemicals and are the best choice for prescription lenses. However, the downside is that they can be very heavy and uncomfortable.

Plastic lenses have similar properties to polycarbonate lenses, however they are not as strong as polycarbonate and are less impact resistant. However they can help protect against welding splatter and don't fog easily.

There are a huge range of safety lenses available from a great range of brands. You will have many options to choose from such as safety lens tints, colors, bifocals, polarized, and many different coatings too.

Some of the different lens coatings you can choose from include: anti-static, anti-fog, and UV protection. Anti-static is a great choice if you are working in a dusty environment as it helps keep your new safety lenses clean by preventing dust particles being attracted to the lenses. Anti-fog is perfect for those that work in tight or humid conditions as it ensures your lenses are kept clear at all times. Although most safety lenses on the market today offer 99.9% UV protection inclusive, it is always best to check and if they don't have UV protection you should consider buying it additional if you spend a lot of time outdoors.

 

* AO SUNGLASSES are NOT ANSI Z87.1-2003 safety glasses

 

Safety lenses aren't just for people who work in hazardous conditions, in fact they are suitable for a whole range of activities. Safety lenses are great for doing round the house jobs such as painting, mowing the lawn and other DIY jobs. Just a small piece of grass from the lawn may scratch and permanently damage your eye, so you should wear protective safety lenses wherever possible.

Sporting people also choose to wear safety glasses, and there are a huge range of different safety lenses to suit different sports - as each has different requirements and potential hazards. Fisherman often choose to have polarized safety lenses as these help minimize glare off of the water as well as blocking out harmful light rays, all without distorting color perception. For people who enjoy shooting sports, tinted amber lenses are a popular choice as they help increase color contrast making it easier to distinguish your target.

There are plenty of different brands to choose from when purchasing your safety lenses, and all safety lenses sold in the USA have been tested and authorized by the ANSI. Some of the most popular brands of safety lenses include Crews, Pyramex, AO Safety, and All Safety. All of these brands also offer a great range of frames to choose from for your new safety lenses. Prices for safety lenses start from just $1 per pair, so there is no excuse to compromise the safety of your eyes!