When selecting eyeware, keep these safety factors in mind and be sure to discuss any safety needs with your eyecare professional team.

The type and style of the eyeglass frame is an important factor in determining how much protection your eyeglasses will provide.  Many frames are designed for appearance, not protection.

Federal law requires all lenses to meet a standard of impact resistance.  Lenses used for dress eyeware are not required to meet as rigorous an impact resistance standard as lenses used in industrial or sports spectacles.  Discuss with your eyecare professional team the lens impact resistance requirements of your lifestyle.

No lenses are unbreakable or shatterproof.  They can break into sharp pieces that can cause serious injury to the eye, or blindness.  Even if the lenses do not break, the frame can break or distort and result in serious eye injury.

The continued impact resistance of your lenses depends on how well you protect them from physical shocks and abuse.  For your own protection and visual comfort, scratched and pitted lenses should be replaced immediately.

If your occupation or recreational activities expose you to severe risk of flying objects or physical impacts, eye safety may require special safety spectacles with safety lenses, side shields, goggles, and/or full face shield.