How To Identify Quality Prescription Safety Glasses

With so many options for safety glasses on the market today, it can be difficult to know whether you’re making the best choice, let alone which brands and frames offer the best quality.

Ensuring you have quality prescription safety glasses lets you know you are getting the best protection possible.

Here are some things to look for when searching for a quality pair of prescription safety glasses:

ANSI Standards

One of the best ways to find quality prescription safety glasses is by searching for pairs that meet ANSI Z87.1 safety standards.

ANSI, or the American National Standards Institute, is a non-profit organization comprised of industry experts who define testing methodologies and design standards for many products, including prescription safety glasses.

When it comes to prescription safety glasses, ANSI defines minimum coverage requirements for frames to ensure both the front of your eyes and the sides are protected as well as minimum lens thickness.

Also, they recommend various lens retention systems that should be used to ensure lenses fit more securely in the frame than your typical pair of glasses. Furthermore, they define the testing methodologies for high mass and high velocity impact resistance as well as a myriad of other qualifications such as splash protection.

Prescription safety glasses that meet ANSI Z87.1 standards for design requirements and pass tests defined by ANSI will carry visible markings.

Perhaps the most important is Z87-2+. The “+” indicates glasses that have passed high mass & high velocity impact testing. Meanwhile, the “-2” indicates the frames have been designed to fit prescription lenses.

It’s important to know that non-prescription safety frames which have been marked Z87 or Z87+ are not meant to be fitted with prescription lenses!

If you are shopping online, the ANSI marking will almost always be mentioned in the product details. Keep this in mind while you’re shopping to help you find styles that have been designed to meet safety standards.

Don’t Skimp On The Lenses

The best prescription safety frames deserve the best lenses. Polycarbonate and Trivex are the most popular materials used to produce safety lenses. Plastic lenses can be made to meet safety standards but they typically need to made much thicker to ensure they’re more impact resistant.

Unlike non-prescription safety glasses, you’ll typically have the option to add a wide variety of lens coatings when you’re ordering prescription safety glasses.

A scratch coating should be paramount but other options such as anti-fog, hydrophobic or oleophobic coatings can also be available. Hydrophobic helps water droplets bead up and roll off the lenses like a good wax does for your car. Similarly, oleophobic coatings help reduce smudges on the lenses from oils. Additionally, polarized lenses reduce glare from reflective surfaces like water, ice and snow.

These are excellent for those who work outside or drive a lot. When shopping for your perfect pair, take a moment to check out the descriptions for each of the coatings offered.

Remember: In order for your safety glasses to provide the utmost protection and vision correction, they must should have a combination of both high-quality frames and high-quality lenses.

Prescription Safety Glasses for Daily Wear

If you’ve been regularly wearing corrective glasses or contacts, then you’re already well acquainted with the price tag associated with prescription options.

So, buying an extra pair of prescription glasses for safety may seem like a luxury. But, long gone are the days of ugly, chunky safety glasses.

Over the past few decades an explosion of modern, stylish safety frames have come to market that can be worn with removable side shields. These more contemporary designs mean you can order prescription glasses that meet safety standards and wear them as your everyday pair too!

Best Quality, Best Protection

Your eyes are precious and irreplaceable, so wearing a quality pair of prescription safety glasses on any job or while working around the house is alwaysa good optionto protect your eyesight.

When shopping, always pay close attention to the details and look for ANSI Z87 rated frames and lenses to guarantee quality and safety.

To find a high-quality pair for your needs, shop the full collection of prescription safety glasses.