No, you generally cannot turn your regular glasses into certified safety glasses.
Why Regular Glasses Aren't Safety Glasses
While it might seem like a simple solution, adding attachments like side shields to your everyday eyeglasses, sunglasses, or even prescription glasses does not convert them into safety eyewear.
Based on the provided information:
It's important to note that over the counter readers or sunglasses and even your expensive prescription glasses cannot be turned into safety eyewear simply by adding a pair of side shields.
This is a key point from safety standards and regulations. Regular glasses are not designed or tested to withstand the same impact levels or provide the comprehensive protection required by safety standards (like ANSI Z87.1 in the United States) for workplace or activity hazards.
Key Differences Between Regular and Safety Glasses
Safety glasses are specifically manufactured with materials and designs intended to protect your eyes from various hazards, including:
- High Impact: Lenses and frames are built to resist penetration and impact from flying objects.
- Splashes: Some safety glasses or goggles offer protection from chemical splashes or droplets.
- Dust and Debris: Wraparound designs or integrated side shields provide better coverage.
- Specific Coatings: Lenses may have anti-fog, scratch-resistant, or UV protection coatings.
Regular glasses, while providing vision correction or sun protection, do not meet these stringent requirements for lens strength, frame durability, or coverage. Simply adding side shields addresses only one small aspect of protection (peripheral impact) but does not enhance the fundamental impact resistance of the lens or frame, which is crucial for true safety eyewear.
What Are Your Options?
If you need safety glasses and wear prescription glasses, you have a few safe and compliant options:
- Prescription Safety Glasses: These are custom-made safety glasses with your specific prescription built into lenses that meet safety standards. Both the lenses and frames are certified.
- Safety Over-the-Glasses (OTG) Glasses: These are safety glasses designed to be worn comfortably over your regular prescription glasses. They provide a protective layer that meets safety standards.
- Safety Goggles: For higher levels of protection (e.g., against splashes, dust, or higher impact), safety goggles can often be worn over prescription glasses.
Choosing one of these certified options ensures your eyes are properly protected according to relevant safety standards while allowing you to maintain clear vision.
