Is Wearing Safety Glasses Harmful To Your Eyesight?

Many employees and safety experts are frustrated by a typical complaint: “These safety glasses hurt my eyes.” Complaints regarding impaired eyesight, headaches, pinched noses, and ear discomfort when wearing protective eyewear are persistent these days.

These frustrations stem from both the pain and the non-compliance with safety rules that come as a consequence. Let’s get to the heart of the problem by looking at some of the most prevalent reasons and potential remedies.

Most prevalent reasons for pain when wearing safety glasses 

1. Having the wrong size or shape of safety glasses might be dangerous 

Safety glasses should be snug but not painful. Because every person’s face is different, one design and size of safety glasses will not work for every employee. Most safety eyewear shops have a wide range of designs and sizes on their eyewear display shelf. Prescription Safety glasses created for women and others with wider faces have grown more popular. Having a variety of eyewear designs and sizes available guarantees that every employee has a comfortable fit.

2. Colour of the lens

Each lens color has its own set of advantages and disadvantages. Using the incorrect lens shade might result in eye discomfort or tiredness due to glare or bright lighting. Evaluate each setting, including the people and the environment, to determine which lens tint provides the most remarkable vision. Protective eyewear retailers are professionals in this field and can assist you in selecting the appropriate lens color.

3. Improper usage of safety glasses

When safety glasses are forced upon the forehead or worn in any manner other than the way they were designed, pressure may build up, causing pain and discomfort. Because improperly fitted eyeglasses often cause incorrect usage, improper use should be a red signal. Take the time to examine and evaluate your eyeglasses, and switch styles if required.

4. Improper care

Failure to properly care for safety glasses may result in various issues that can be painful and uncomfortable. Dirty or damaged lenses cause eye strain. Frames that are bent or fractured result in an unpleasant fit and pressure. Taking good care of your safety glasses can guarantee that they fit well and provide optimal vision for the long haul.

5. Safety glasses in poor condition

Whether as a result of the incorrect maintenance, breakage, or just aging, it may be pretty unpleasant for any person to wear it in such a condition. Damaged lenses might also result in decreased vision or eye discomfort. Every pair of glasses, no matter how high-quality, must be changed at some point. Maintaining a frequent check on employees’ safety eyewear guarantees that they always wear the most appropriate safety glasses for the scenario.

Also read: Importance of Eye Care and Regular Eye Exams

6. Safety eyewear that is appropriate for the situation

There are many different kinds of safety eyewear on the market because different people and situations call for different styles. Because of this, a single pair of safety glasses won’t work for everyone or in every situation. Regular safety glasses are good enough. But sometimes, you need to change the lenses because the lighting changes. In this case, convertible safety glasses are the best choice. When things like airflow or humidity change in the environment, you need more than one pair of safety glasses.

7. Unacceptable quality

Budget safety glasses are more than appropriate for occasional usage because of their low cost. On the other hand, quality is critical for persons who wear safety glasses daily to prevent discomfort. It is possible to avoid many difficulties by investing in high-quality safety glasses and taking the time to select the most comfortable fit. Anyone who must wear safety glasses for extended periods must have high-quality eyewear that is pleasant to use.

8. Eye strain and tiredness

There are a variety of factors that contribute to eye strain and weariness. Excessive glare, inappropriate fit, and poor lens quality are all problems. Headaches and blurred vision are caused by fatigue and eye strain. Additionally, they might cause neck and back discomfort when employees modify their posture to correct the problem. Employees’ situations should be evaluated according to all the elements listed above to assist and likely eliminate the majority of difficulties.

9. Incorrect Prescription

If the prescription is incorrect, eye tiredness, headaches, and impaired vision may occur in persons who use prescription eyewear, such as glasses or contacts. Regular eye examinations guarantee that prescriptions are always up to date and that corrective eyewear is not causing any issues for the wearer.

10. Other protective equipment

Protective equipment such as helmets and visors may pressure the safety glasses worn below. Furthermore, over-prescription safety glasses may put additional strain on prescription eyeglasses, causing pain and discomfort in the eyes. Workers will benefit from experimenting with various combinations of safety equipment to discover the most comfortable variety.

11. Workplace conditions

If the methods mentioned above do not provide relief, it is conceivable that the office environment is creating dry eyes, allergies, or other kinds of health conditions. It is possible that the work environment is the source of your eye pain or discomfort. You should see your doctor or try switching to other safety glasses that better restrict airflow, such as foam-padded safety glasses.

12. Health concerns

After you’ve checked all of the other locations as described above, it’s essential to examine if a more severe eye or other health condition is the source of your pain. If consulting an eye doctor does not result in a remedy, make an appointment with your family physician to have them study the matter further.

How to select the correct lens for Safety Glasses?

It is also crucial to make the appropriate choice for your safety glasses’ lens coating or lens color.

1. Lens Coating with Anti-Fog Protection

When the lenses of your safety glasses fog up, it causes a temporary interruption in your field of vision, which may result in a potentially hazardous scenario on the road. Safety eyewear manufacturers use anti-fog coatings on their products to reduce fogging and enhance the overall function of your safety eyewear.

2. Hard coat with Scratch-Resistant Finish

The scratch-resistant hard coat increases the lens’s optical quality while extending its life. Safeguarding eyewear from regular wear and tear is still necessary, even if protected by a hard coat. If it gets scratched or damaged, it should be replaced immediately.

3. Coating for Mirrors

Generally speaking, mirror coatings improve your eyes’ protection and comfort while exposed to infrared radiation in scorching situations. It is common to see colored lenses used with mirrored lenses in prescription glasses. They’re perfect for general-purpose sun and glare protection for outdoor work conditions.

4. Lenses with an amber tint

Amber lenses are ideal for work environments with low light levels. It works by blocking the blue portion of the light spectrum, increasing contrast and making it easier to see the items in your surroundings.

5. Blue Lenses

Safety Glasses with blue Lenses are ideal for work environments where sodium vapor lighting and severe glare are present. So, it would be best if you use a blue lens in your spectacles to reduce the strain on your eye while wearing them.

6. Copper Blue Colored Block

Block lenses of the copper blue color family are comparable to grey or mirrored lenses in that they reduce glare, but they give a brighter field of vision than these other hues. So, it would be better to use it if your job is in a dark environment or if you are doing any night shift.

Conclusion

The quick answer is no! Wearing protective eyewear will not impair your eyesight. It may, however, cause various discomforts such as headaches and eye tiredness, which can have an impact on safety and compliance as a result of the exposure.

Also read: 7 Strategies to Improve Fire Safety at Home