Today, most employers outfit their workers with safety eyewear in compliance with OSHA regulations. That has resulted in a sharp decrease in the number of work related eye injuries.

Yet consumers who undertake home repairs and other potentially dangerous jobs are often at risk for eye injuries. Most consumers don't understand the differences between protective eyewear and dress eyewear, and may assume they are protected by wearing dress eyewear with polycarbonate lenses.

It's up to eyecare professionals (ECPs) to offer patients appropriate eye protection. There are some simple ways ECPs can tell the difference between safety eyewear and "streetwear," according to Titmus Optical, a leading supplier.

Prescription Protective Frames and High Impact Lenses
Lenses for High Impact must be tested and withstand impact from a 1/4-inch steel ball shot at 150 fps.

  • Lenses must be marketed with the manufacturer's monogram and a "+" mark to indicate they meet the High Impact testing standard.
  • All special tints and photochromic lenses have a special marking.
  • Frames are tested with 2.0mm polycarbonate lenses to ensure they can withstand the impact from a 1/4-inch steel ball traveling at 150 fps without dislodging the lenses.
  • All parts of the frame are marked with Z87-2, indicating they have been tested to withstand High Impact.
  • Protective eyewear frames have ANSI Z87 tested sideshields available for added protection.

Prescription Dress Frames and Lenses

  • Lenses only need to withstand impact from a 5/8" steel ball dropped from a height of 50 inches.
  • Lenses are not tested for High Impact, and therefore are not marked with the manufacturer's monogram.
  • Lenses have no markings to indicate use for special purposes.
  • Z87-2 is not marked on any part of the frame and a dress frame with polycarbonate lenses does not meet OSHA requirements.
  • Sideshields are not made for dress frames, and dress frames with attached shields do not meet the ANSI standard.

Revisions to ANSI Z87.1-2003
Recently, ANSI (American National Standards Institute) revised its Z87.1-2003 Standards for Occupational Eye and Face Protection. The major difference between the old and new standard is that are now two levels of performance for lenses: Basic Impact and High Impact. High Impact have a "+" sign on the lens; Basic Impact do not.

Frames must be tested with 2.0mm High Impact lenses and marked "Z87-2." Frames can be used for Basic Impact and High Impact. Sideshields are designed to provide more lateral protection under the new standard.

As with all PPE, it is the responsibility of the safety professional to do the proper assessment for employee protection. Employers can refer to 29CFR1910.132 for additional information.

Sport Standards
The standards for sport eyewear vary according to the sport. Prescription protective eyewear designed for occupational use may not be appropriate for certain sport applications. Please check with your local sporting goods store for information on the types of eye protection needed.