WorldWide Drilling Resource

37 WorldWide Drilling Resource ® FEBRUARY 2019 Are Safety Glasses Hurting My Vision? Adapted from Information by HexArmor ® Ever wonder if wearing safety glasses can harm your vision? Well, the short answer is no; wearing safety glasses doesn’t damage your vision, however, it can be the source of eye strain or fatigue. Eye strain is the result of pain and fatigue of the eyes and is often accompanied by a headache. Eye fatigue is a little different in that it affects the muscles around the eye which can become tired from intense use. Here are the signs of eye strain and fatigue: / Dry, or watery eyes / Soreness of eyes / Trouble focusing / Blurred vision / Light sensitivity / Headache behind the eyes There are several reasons safety glasses can cause eye strain and fatigue; here are a few to keep in mind: , Wrong fit - A lot of safety departments mistakingly believe they can buy one type of eyewear and expect it to work for and fit every employee. Head and face shapes are so different, there is no way for one size to fit all. This is why finding properly fitting eyewear is crucial, especially since 90% of recorded in- juries are due to poorly-fitting eyewear or workers not wearing eyewear at all. , Wrong tint - If you’re working in environments where you experience glare, or work indoors and outdoors, different types of tints may be needed. Proper tints help your eyes adjust to the conditions of the environment. If you’re not using the correct tint on your safety glasses, it could result in eye strain or eye fatigue. , Scratched lenses - Once lenses become scratched, it can really affect the quality of vision through the lens and cause eye strain and fatigue. Make sure you replace scratched safety glasses. , Poor optical clarity - If you are wearing cheap safety glasses, it’s possible the quality of the polycarbonate lenses isn’t as good as it could be. If you notice your safety lenses seem cloudy or there are tiny distortions in the lenses, this is a telltale sign of poor optical quality. Lenses with excellent optical quality are free of imperfections and provide as close to natural vision as possible. Remember, safety eyewear which fits properly helps reduce injuries and increases compliance. Not only does poorly fitting eyewear lead to eye strain and fatigue, it also increases the likelihood of workers removing them throughout the day, leaving them vulnerable to eye injuries. 1. No uncomfortable pressure points behind ears or side of your head. 2. Nose piece should be comfortable without pinching your nose. 3. You should be able to see in all directions. 4. The weight should be evenly distributed between your ears and nose. 5. Frames should be close to your face without hitting eyelashes. 6. Lenses should cover eyebrow and any soft tissue. 7. Safety glasses should stay in place when you move your head up and down, as well as side to side. Guide for properly fitting safety eyewear C&G