Prescription Safety Glasses Buying Guide

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As many a 60% of people in the world wear some form of corrective lenses or have had surgery to repair their vision. Even people who did not require lenses when they were younger may develop vision impairment as they age. Therefore, it is safe to assume that a large number of the customer base that is buying safety glasses would be interested in the prescription options. There are many models of safety glasses that fit over one’s own daily prescription lenses, but this might not be ideal for many reasons such as comfort and ease of use. In response to this demand, manufacturers have come up with plenty of offerings for those who would prefer to pay for a dedicated pair of prescription safety glasses.

If one is going to spend the money on a pair of prescription safety lenses, there are several important decisions to make. Prescription safety glasses should be purchased if the owner has a targeted purpose and will be using them on a regular basis. There are many options available for lenses based on their intended application, but not many of them are cross-functional. For example, while a feature like UV protection can be universally useful, preferred lens color can vary widely based on the environment. Some would consider lenses to be the most important component of a pair of prescription safety glasses. Though they are certainly the more expensive component, the frame also is a major consideration depending on the application. Though lenses cannot be purchased online because they are a medical device, frames are widely available and can be taken to most lens sellers for fitting.

Due to the nature of assembly of prescription safety glasses, where frequently the frame is purchased before the lenses, there are fewer stylish options available than what one can find among non-prescription glasses. There are still quite a few choices of frame, however. Safety glasses frames differ from regular frames in that they meet ANSI standards for being able to stand up to forces in a particular way and often heat as well. It is therefore important that frames specifically rated for safety are purchased if one is intending to build a pair of prescription glasses. Simply purchasing safety rated lenses for regular frames will not give full protection and put the wearer at risk.

If you are looking for a traditional pair of glasses then there are options like the Honeywell by Uvex 18893 Prescription Eyewear Safety Glasses. These glasses come with lenses that actually have a bit of magnification but the frames are of a standard size so that they can be taken to a lens maker and have prescription lenses swapped in. These would be one of the more comfortable options since they are essentially the same as a basic pair of safety glasses but with proper prescription lenses.

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Since there are fewer styles of prescription ready frames, generally they are purchased with a specific purpose or environment in mind. For example, the goggle style is not the most attractive but it is crucial when the wearer needs full coverage and also to ensure that the glasses will not go anywhere. They might not vent as well as a more open style but if the lenses are purchased with an anti-fog coating then this should not be a problem. The ZT25 Prescription Ready Safety Goggles by 3M are an excellent choice in this arena.

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For those who wear prescription lenses there is an intriguing option that is designed specifically with you in mind. Safety glasses that include lens inserts are a compromise between prescription glasses and an over-the-glasses product. They are essentially a pair of standard safety glasses that can accommodate lenses, so there are actually two layers of lenses protecting the eyes. Though it seems a bit bulky at first, one of the major benefits of this style is that it protects not only the wearer but also the prescription lenses. Therefore, if the outer lenses ever get scratched or the frames damaged, the prescription lenses can simply be removed and placed in a new pair. For the heavy duty user who goes through safety glasses on a regular basis, this is much cheaper option than constantly purchasing new prescription lenses. Even for someone who is nervous about putting their investment at risk this is a great idea. A perfect option for someone considering this design is the Titus G27 Rx Ready Competition Range Glasses. These are lightweight and perfect for a number of activities including shooting, riding, shop work, and general safety. Given the low cost one could easily stock up on several pair if they expect to go through the outer lenses at a quick pace.

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If purchasing a set of lenses specifically for safety glasses is cost prohibitive or even unnecessary due to infrequency of usage, there are plenty of safety glasses that can be worn over your regular glasses. The ReadyMax SoundShield Fit Over Style safety glasses are a great option in that case. These even include ear protection for environments where ear safety is a concern, like the shooting range or a manufacturing floor.

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If you need occasional side protection, there are also inexpensive side shields that can clip or slide on to your regular glasses, though as previously discussed if your lenses and frames are not rated for safety use then this is really only appropriate in situations where there is no risk of heavy impact.

Though it may seem frivolous at first to invest in a pair of prescription safety glasses, given how valuable your eyesight is there is really no doubt that these are worth the expense. No matter your budget, there are plenty of options out there. Since frames are so affordable and the lens size tends to be common, you can shop around to find the best price on the lenses that work for you. Having a pair of safety glasses specifically suited for you can even be incentive to practice your hobby more often.​