I have recently lost part of my sight in one eye. This encourages me to take better care of the other one, so I’m looking for a good solution that provides both safety and good vision.
I have to wear glasses in order to see anything at all, so the solution has to either fit over my glasses, or have prescription lenses built in.
– Is it better to get something to go over my glasses (face shield, goggles)?
– Or is it better to get glasses with side shields, etc., ground to my prescription?
– Can you recommend specific model numbers of your chosen solution?
I do a little of every sort of work: electrical, plumbing, carpentry, woodworking, yard maintenance. Jack of all trades …
Thanks for any help
Bob Chapman
Replies
I also wear prescription glasses, and I find that I fog up with goggles, so I usually choose a full face shield whenever I need eye protection.
Whatever you choose, it needs to be convenient enough that you use it. Sort of like the blade guard on a tablesaw, it's wonderful but who keeps theirs installed?
Marine Engineer
fair winds and following seas
give me a quartering sea and a beam reach anyday, following seas push your stern around too much. Jim Devier
I saw something in the Duluth catalog that are safety glasses that fit on your face over your regular glasses. Their web site is http://www.DuluthTrading.com
I think for the best protection a face shield (Don K. can tell you about face shields not stopping everything though)or glasses with side shields would be the best--have heard about stuff getting around regular glasses. I just wear my plastic lensed prescription glasses--mine are bigger than normal lenses to offer a little more protection. I also have UV protection in the lenses.
Has any one seen or used the safety glasses that split at the nose peice, they look kind of handy but I can't find them anywhere to even check them out.
I saw an episode of Ask This Old House, and Tom Silva was wearing them.
Webby
The coroner on "CSI" wears them! Don't know where you get them though, but I seem to recall seeing them in catalogs. A drug store may have them--they often have safety glasses with magnifying bifocal lenses.
Like Marine Engineer said, the best option is what you'll wear all the time. That means something that won't fog up, fall of, or be uncomfortable.
I wear contacts, so I'm okay with just getting plain safety glasses. I've never quite been able to find anything that fits over my glasses, and remains comfortable though.
I'd personally advise going to a eyeglass store, and asking them what they have available. Safety glasses with side shields are required in most industrial settings, so, at least here in Detroit, most stores sell them. Get something that's comfortable, that'll protect you from all angles, and you'll be okay. Just get in the habit of wearing them instead of your regular glasses whenever you're doing something (or snap off the side shields, and wear them as your regular glasses.)
My understanding is that safety glasses are to be used to protect against incidental contact only. If you're doing work that will throw stuff at your face, you're supposed to wear a face shield also.
I don't need corrective lenses, but I have worked with several people who do. All of them wear prescription safety glasses that look like regular eyeglasses. Most of them have their "work" glasses and their "home" glasses.
Around here (Wilmington, DE) there is a company that specializes in PPE (personal protection equipment). From what I am told, you can take your prescription to them and have a set of safety glasses made. I believe some insurance companies will even cover the expense.
Hope this helps.
Thanks for your comments, everyone
Bob
I know they are not approved for this purpose, but I find that ski goggles work pretty well, are very comfortable, and they are very resistent to fogging. You can get clear lenses (for night skiing), and most models fit over glasses.
They work particularly well if you are wearing a respirator, where everything else fogs. They also keep the dust out.
The 3M full face respirators also have lense holders available as an accessory.
i also lost partial site in one eye..... ever since ( about 2000 ) i wear safety lenseswith side shields from morning until i get home at niteMike Smith Rhode Island : Design / Build / Repair / Restore
I go back and forth between contacts and glasses - so I get safety glasses that fit over my regular glasses. For gloves, ear plugs, safety glasses, etc., I get them on-line from http://www.newpig.com I've tried goggles and face shields - good if you really need them, but I find they fog and are generally uncomfortable. Like others have said - they only work if you use them. When I buy new ones, I buy several pairs. The lenses are plastic and scratch easily, but at about 5 bucks a pair, I wear them until they scratch (usually a couple weeks for me) then toss them.
I used to have some prescription safety glasses, but they are expensive and need to be assembled at the factory - not the local lens shop, so if your prescription changes you could need to go without them for a couple of weeks.
Prescription shatter-proof glasses 100% of time. When I wake 'til when I sleep, and sometimes even then.
It's why I don't wear contacts.
Troy Sprout
"Don't forget the screws"
The best kind of eye protection for anyone is the kind worn anytime work is being performed. Sounds obvious, but I think you kow what I mean. In your case, my vote is for prescription safty glasses. That way, you will always have them on.
Edited 6/4/2006 8:42 am ET by Matt
If you are getting older, like me, and need reading glasses only, either Duluth or Lee Valley (I forget which-another symptom of age) has safety glasses with a variety of diopters. They are cheap too.