When Marc Hackstadt decided to look for a new fishing spot, he thought he would be taking a safe bike ride in a state conservation area. He went to a well-‐known area, parked the car, mounted his bike, and rode around a gate post where a biking trail extended to allow for biking and walking access around the gate. The next thing he knew he was laid out on the ground. Hackstadt had hit a neglected cable strung between the gate post and a telephone pole. The cable hit him at eye level, broke his glasses and sent him sprawling. Fortunately for Hackstadt he was wearing a pair of hi-performance prescription safety glasses with a dust shield from work – ideal for motorcycling and cycling.
The glasses had a foam lining around the inside frame to keep out dust and debris and were made with an integrated nose piece. Hackstadt said, had it not been for these glasses he would have lost an eye. Had he used his other prescription glasses with the nose pieces on the metal arms, they would have been driven into his eye.
The right type of safety glasses most likely saved Hackstadt’s vision. Hackstadt is now urging others with an active lifestyle to consider something more protective than standard retail prescription frames and lenses. Retail eyewear, regulated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, is built to minimum safety requirements.
Safety eyewear, on the other hand, is regulated by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration. Design and performance standards exist for both frames and lenses to withstand high impact as well as coverage requirements. Thicker glass and plastic lenses have now primarily been replaced by thinner and stronger polycarbonate material. Many safety glasses also have lenses with high levels of sun and UV Ray protection for enhanced optical performance. Specialty safety eyewear companies can also offer lens treatments to reduce scratches and even anti-‐fog coatings.
Every year more than 2 million eye injuries occur in the U.S. both in and outside the workplace.
Many of these injuries could have been prevented by wearing safety glasses instead of regular retail eyewear. Yet there are those who hesitate to wear them calling the eyewear too bulky or unattractive. However, today a small number of safety eyewear specialists manufacture safety frames that are extremely ergonomically known brand names. The latest safety eyewear manufactured by specialty prescription safety eyewear companies is indistinguishable from current sports designer styled frames. Unfortunately, you will not find these high fashion safety frame styles in retail optical outlets or local eye care professionals. Companies that specialize in prescription safety eyewear have been the leaders in the development of these fashion and high design styles.
Whether you are a cyclist, hunter, fisherman, active in sports or simply mowing the lawn, the right pair of safety glasses should not be just an option, but a necessity. They can help enhance your performance, reduce your chance of eye injury, and, like Mr. Hackstadt, even save your eyesight.
For more information visit http://safevision.net.
