Safety Glasses

Impact rated eyewear for work and sport

Overview

Safety glasses and other protective eyewear are designed to protect the eyes from impact, flying particles, chemical splashes, radiation, and other hazards. Unlike ordinary spectacles, safety lenses are made from impact resistant materials, most often polycarbonate, and are tested against standards such as ANSI Z87.1 in the United States and EN 166 in Europe, with side shields or wraparound frames protecting against hazards from the side. Related equipment includes goggles, which seal around the eyes against dust and liquids, face shields, and welding helmets and filters that block the intense ultraviolet and infrared radiation responsible for welder flash, a form of photokeratitis. Sports eyewear standards, such as ASTM F803 for racket sports, address high speed impacts from balls and racquets, and protective masks are standard equipment in sports such as paintball. Eye injuries are a substantial cause of visual impairment, and a large share are considered preventable with appropriate protection, which is why occupational safety regulations in many countries require protective eyewear in hazardous workplaces.