Glasses
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Safety Glasses
Most people wouldn’t dream of mowing the lawn barefoot but don’t hesitate weed whacking without protective eyewear. Eye injuries from debris and rocks thrown by household tools like lawn mowers, chain saws and weed trimmers occur daily.
In California, OSHA regulations and enforcement of personal protective equipment have reduced the number of injuries in the workplace. Most eye injuries now happen at home.
What makes safety glasses safe?
Safety frames must pass two rigorous impact tests, which dress frames do not undergo, to be marked Z87 (the ANSI, American National Standards Institute, requirement). A special device call an Alderson Head Form, which simulates a physical human head is used.
The High Velocity Impact Test
A 1/4″ steel ball traveling at 150 feet per second is directed at different designated positions on the front and side of a frame glazed with plano lenses. No 
contact with the eye or head form is permitted as a result of the impact, nor shall any parts or fragment be ejected from the protector that could contact an eye of the head form.
The High Mass Impact Test
A pointed projectile weighing 17.6 ounces is dropped from a height of 51.2″ on a glazed frame. No parts or fragments shall be ejected from the protector that could contact an eye of the head form.
Prescription Safety Frames
If you need correction to see, safety frames can be made with prescription lenses that meet ANSI. The lenses and frame will have Z87 on them. The lenses must pass a drop ball test. (A 1″ steel ball is dropped on the lens from 50″ high.)
Please note that safety glasses and sports glasses are not interchangeable. Sport glasses do not need to pass ANSI tests and safety glasses are not appropriate for sports applications.
Below is a chart providing guidance for the proper selection of eye and face protection for particular risks.
Westside Optometry has different styles of ANSI approved safety glasses to make in prescription. We offer safety frames in plastic and metal materials with side shield options.
| Hazard Assessment | ||
| Hazard type | Examples of Hazard | Common Related Tasks |
| Impact | Flying objects such as large chips, fragments, particles, sand, and dirt. | Chipping, grinding, machining, masonry work, wood working, sawing, drilling, chiseling, powered fastening, riveting, and sanding. |
| Heat | Anything emitting extreme heat. | Furnace operations, pouring, casting, hot dipping, and welding. |
| Chemicals | Splash, fumes, vapors, and irritating mists. | Acid and chemical handling, degreasing, plating, and working with blood. |
| Dust | Harmful Dust. | Woodworking, buffing, and general dusty conditions. |
| OpticalRadiation | Radiant energy, glare, and intense light | Welding, torch-cutting, brazing, soldering, and laser work. |
Sunglasses
Prolonged exposure to ultraviolet (UV) light may cause cataracts, age-related macular degeneration (AMD), skin cancer, sunburns, and premature aging of the skin. Wearing good quality sunglasses can protect the eyes from harmful effect of UV light.
When it comes to choosing sunglasses, the options are endless and confusing. Not all lenses are equal in terms of UV and blue light protection. Here are a few tips on selecting good quality sun lenses with the correct level of protection.
Ultraviolet Light
The light spectrum is categorized by wavelength. If the light is in the visible spectrum, the wavelengths will determine its color. If it is in the ultraviolet (UV) range, these wavelengths determine its UV category (A, B or C).
Bluelight
A relatively new term, blue light can damage the retina, leading to AMD and blurring of vision. Blue light is in the visible spectrum.
Sun Lens features:
- The color, or tint, of the sunglass lens does not determine the UV and blue light protection. In fact, you can get UV protection in some clear lens materials.
- Grey Lenses provide decreased brightness and glare while maintaining normal color perception; useful in very bright conditions.
- Brown Lenses block blue light to improve contrast and depth perception, but change color perception; great for overcast to sunny weather.
- Yellow Lenses are useful in lowlight and hazy conditions and also enhance contrast; useful indoors as well.
- Green Lenses provide mild increase of contrast while maintaining color perception; another good general-purpose lens.
- Pink and Red Lenses provide increased contrast but also alter color perception; can be useful in snowy conditions.
- Gradient Tint Lenses that are tinted darker at the top and
lighter at the bottom are gradient tinted lenses. This design is ideal for reading outdoors. The density of color can be determined to an individuals’ preference.
- A mirror on the front of your lenses will reflect most of the direct glare, essentially “squinting” so you don’t have to.
- A polarized filter in your sunglasses will eliminate reflected glare from the road, water and other flat shiny surfaces. Polarized lenses are solid and darker in color. With polarized lenses, you can see below the water’s surface, so they are great for fishing.
- A back surface anti-reflective coating will prevent light from bouncing off the back of the lens and into your eyes. This feature reduces glare.
- A photochromic lens will adjust to lighting conditions, getting darker as the lights gets brighter. A photochromic lens is activated by UVrays, so the lens will not change as much inside a car.
- Excellent quality sunglasses will be impact-resistant, light-weight and treated with an anti-scratch coating. They will have high-quality optics, provide sharp, clear and comfortable vision.
- Specialized tints are available for different sports and activities. You can get lenses that maximize your vision for tennis, golf, hunting and fishing.
Sun Frame Features:
- When choosing a sunglass frame, the most important thing to consider is its fit. The frame should fit close to your eyes and face to reduce the entry of bounce back glare. The frame
has to be big enough to provide appropriate coverage and protection for your eyes. - Most quality sunglasses can be manufactured with a prescription so you can enjoy clear vision outdoors.
- Clip-on sunglasses are available for most prescription glasses. The sun clip-on rests on your general eyewear, eliminating the need for separate sunglasses. The clip-on does add to the weight of the glasses and there may be internal reflection between the two sets of lenses that decreases the quality of your vision.
- Select a frame style appropriate for your lifestyle. Fashion sunglasses are beautiful and fully functional at the beach and for running errands. A different style is recommended for sports and athletic activities. Something lightweight and more durable is better suited for increased activity.
Westside Optometry carries the following sunglasses: Maui Jim, Nike, Gucci, Kate Spade and FYSH.
Caring for Your Glasses
The following tips are intended to provide you clean eyeglass lenses and frames without the risk of scratching the lenses or damaging the frame.
- Wash and dry your hands. Before cleaning your eyeglasses, make sure your hands are free from dirt, grime and lotion. Use lotion-free soap or dish-washing liquid and a clean, lint-free towel to clean your hands
- Rinse your glasses under a gentle stream of lukewarm tap water. This will remove dust and other debris, which can help avoid scratching your lenses when you are cleaning them. Avoid hot water, which can damage some lens coatings.
- Apply a small drop of lotion-free dish-washing liquid to each lens. Most dish-washing liquids are very concentrated, so use a tiny amount. Or apply a drop to your fingertip instead.
- Gently rub both sides of the lenses and all parts of the frame for a few seconds. Make sure you clean every part, including the nose pads and ends of the temples that rest behind your ears. And be sure to clean the area where the edge of the lenses meet the frame where dust, debris and skin oils can accumulate.
- Rinse both sides of the lenses and the frame thoroughly. Failing to remove all traces of the soap will cause the lenses to be smeared when you dry them.
- Use a clean lint-free towel to dry the lenses and frame. Avoid rough fabrics and paper products which can scratch the lenses and the finish on the frame.
Your glasses have been designed to fulfill not only the requirements of your prescription but also to withstand the rigors of daily use without detracting from their aesthetics. When putting on or taking off your glasses, use both hands so that you will not disturb the frame’s alignment. Removing the glasses with one hand puts stress on the opposite hinge causing the frame to pull to one side over time.