Safety and Sport

Safety glasses aren’t just for factory or construction workers. In fact, nearly half of all eye injuries happen at home. Over 100,000 of eye injuries each year occur doing everyday activities like mowing the lawn or home improvement projects. An estimated 90% of those injuries could have been prevented with proper safety eyewear.

Prescription safety glasses protect your eyes from injury by forming a barrier against heat, light radiation, glare, dust, and debris. These glasses satisfy OSHA standards for indoor and outdoor use and can be custom-built for your needs. At Grand Rapids Ophthalmology, we can help you find the right safety glasses that meet OSHA standards.

Check out this helpful report from The Vision Council and the American Society of Safety Engineers for more information.

Can I Just Wear Prescription Eyeglasses in Place of Protective Safety Glasses?

No, prescription eyeglasses and safety glasses are not the same. Safety glasses are constructed differently and are designed to protect your eyes from hazards like debris or particles. Prescription safety glasses must meet strict standards from the American National Standards Institute (ANSI). To meet OSHA standards, safety glasses must meet strict standards from the ANSI.
Ordinary prescription eyeglasses do not provide adequate protection against workplace hazards. Using them instead of safety glasses puts your eyes at risk.

Are Safety Glasses Bad for Your Eyes?

Some workers worry that looking through plastic lenses all day strains their eyes. They even believe it could cause future vision problems. This is not the case. Safety eyewear protects your vision from occupational hazards. Any strain and fatigue experienced while wearing safety glasses are from other factors. This can be due to ill-fitting glasses, scratched lenses, improper tints, or poor lens quality and optical clarity.

If your safety eyewear is causing you discomfort, come to Grand Rapids Ophthalmology. We will fit you with a quality pair that will make you instantly see the difference.

Are Prescription Safety Glasses a Legal Requirement?

Protective eyewear is required by OSHA when employees are exposed to job hazards. This is the case for chemical gases, flying particles, molten metal, liquid chemicals, vapors, light radiation, acids, or caustic liquids.

Instead of prescription safety eyeglasses, your employer can provide you with safety eyewear that is designed to go over your regular glasses. These can be bulky and uncomfortable. As a result, many people come to Grand Rapids Ophthalmology looking to buy prescription safety eyeglasses.

What is the Cost of Prescription Safety Glasses?

The price may vary depending on what types of lenses you need for the work you do, but the protection is priceless. Also consider that eye injuries account for about $300 million per year in medical bills, compensation, and downtime.

Does an Employer Have to Pay for Prescription Safety Glasses?

An employer is not required to cover the expenses of non-specialty safety glasses in two cases: if the worker uses them off the job site, or is if the worker uses them for personal use.
Employers may also choose to provide acceptable alternatives, including goggles designed to fit over prescription eyeglasses.

The only case where an employer legally must pay for prescription safety glasses is when the glasses must remain on company property.

Many employers have employee programs that pay for part of the cost of prescription safety glasses. Speak to your employer or HR department for more details.

Does Grand Rapids Ophthalmology Stock Safety Glasses?

Yes, we have an extensive stock of OSHA-approved safety eyewear for you to choose from. Lenses are formulated to prevent eye damage from occupational eye hazards you face.

Many large industrial companies already have safety accounts set up with us. This makes getting your safety eyeglasses easy.

Call today to schedule an appointment with one of our optometrists. If you need prescription safety glasses or safety eyewear, you have come to the right place.

Sports Glasses and Goggles

Thousands of sports-related eye injuries happen every day, and about two thirds of those occur in children and young adults under age 25. Protective sports glasses and goggles keep eyes safe from injury and improve athletic performance. They have the added benefit of protecting eyes from the sun’s harmful UV rays. We can customize a solution that is best for your activity, whether it’s on the course, court, field, lake, road, slopes, or in the pool.

We offer prescription sports glasses and goggles for children and adults, and we will be happy to help you choose the right style for your activity.