29 MAY 2023

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:

AS/NZS 1337.6 STANDARDS

One of the best ways to find quality prescription safety glasses is by ensuring what you are wearing meets AS/NZS1337.6 safety standards.

Standards Australia is a independent not-for-profit organisation, recognised by the Australian Government as the peak non-government Standards body, and comprised of industry experts who define and set out the specifications, testing methodologies and design standards for many products, including prescription safety glasses.

When it comes to prescription safety glasses, Standards Australia through its committee 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 AS/NZS1337.6 standards for design requirements and pass tests defined by the standards will carry visible markings.

Marking include etchings on the lens that state its protection values. These must include the manufacturers letter of recognition, a “R” to denote they are prescription, a “I” to denote they are Medium Impact rated and finally the lens colour which includes “O” for outdoor untinted lenses or letters (1-3) showing their tint densities as per standards related to tinted lenses. 

WE DON’T SKIMP ON THE LENSES

The best prescription safety frames deserve the best lenses. All our safety lenses are provided with our preferred lens material called Trivex. This is a Polyurethane material used to produce safety lenses, and which is resistant to most common chemicals, and which also results in a lightweight, clear and crisp lens providing increased optics and comfort to the wearer. Plastic lenses can be made to meet safety standards, but they typically need to be 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 is provided as standard on all our lenses, but other options such as hydrophobic or oleophobic (anti-smudge) 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. wThese 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 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. 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 always a good option to protect your eyesight.

When shopping, always pay close attention to the details and look for AS/NZS1337.6 rated frames and lenses to guarantee quality and safety.

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