Even with many options for prescription safety glasses available, some people are more comfortable wearing their own glasses. However, regular glasses should not be worn as safety eyewear because they are not:
- Designed or rated for impact
- Designed to resist or protect against chemicals
- As secure of a fit as safety eyewear
Fortunately, many options are available for over-prescription (Rx) safety glasses. Plus, these options provide benefits regular glasses cannot give.
Benefits of Over-Rx Safety Glasses
Over-Rx safety glasses fit over regular prescription glasses. Their benefits include:
- They are roomy to prevent pressure pain, especially in the temple area.
- Lenses are scratch-resistant.
- Lens tints are available in a variety of colors.
- Many lenses come with anti-fog coating.
- Prescription glasses stay on at all times.
- All models are ANSI Z87.1-2015 certified.
Even with all these benefits, finding the right fit for over-Rx safety glasses is still challenging for many people.
Finding the Right Fit
Finding the right fit is not a one-size-fits-all approach. In fact, expecting everyone to wear the same safety glasses often results in non-compliance. Non-compliance usually indicates an improper fit and/or a comfort or convenience issue.
More than 2,000 people injure their eyes at work each day. About 1 in 10 injuries require one or more missed workdays for recovery. Of the total amount of work-related injuries, 10-20% cause temporary or permanent vision loss. The right eye protection can lessen or prevent 90% of eye injuries.
Taking an individualized approach is the best way to ensure comfort. With increased comfort comes increased compliance.
An Individualized Approach
The best approach involves focusing on each individual by combining these 3 simple tactics.
- Allow each person to try on as many safety glasses as needed. With many options available, it's only a matter of time before finding the right fit.
- Ask each person what he/she wants and does not want. Find out what type of fit and features are preferred. Then, check available over-Rx eyewear descriptions for those features.
- Find out the specific problem with previous eyewear. Knowing the details of what did not work can help narrow down options for what will work.
While talking to each individual takes more time than providing the same safety eyewear to everyone, it dramatically increases compliance, which reduces eye injury.
Gaps in coverage allow debris to enter the eyes. Slipping, fogging, and soreness contribute to worker distraction, loss of productivity, and even the removal of eyewear. Don't underestimate the value of achieving the best possible fit for each individual worker. (Occupational Health & Safety Online)
Taking an individualized approach with each person needing over-Rx safety eyewear increases compliance. It makes for happier workers and a safer workplace too.
