While there are some workplaces and workers that see a regular prescription glasses as being good enough to call eye protection. Regular prescription glasses do not meet impact requirements nor do they supply effective cover. There are prescription safety glasses available that do meet the ANSI standard.
The best safety option if you have prescription glasses is wearing safety goggles or glasses over your prescriptions. Reader safety glasses are also an inexpensive alternative to actual prescription lenses. There are numerous strength level bifocal safety lenses available on the market to choose from.
When working in a lab type environment or working with chemicals, you need to protect against splashing. There are a few styles or types to choose from made with these hazards in mind.
- Indirect vented safety glasses guards against air bound particles and liquid splash while allowing airflow through to prevent fogging and moisture.
- Non vented goggles are not ventilated and protects from fumes and vapors that can irritate and damage the eyes
- Direct vented goggles are specifically for protection against impact only. These type of safety glasses do not protect against liquid splashes whatsoever.