Eye protection—Is a safeguard that shields the eyes and sometimes the face from injury, acting as a barrier against hazards like flying debris, radiant energy, wind, heat, and chemical splashes1.
Eye protection stands as a critical component in occupational safety, sports, and daily life, reducing the risk of trauma, vision loss, and long-term ocular disease. The concept encompasses a spectrum of devices, each tailored to specific threats and environments, and is rooted in both scientific research and historical necessity1.
Eye protection—Has style categories that define its function and form1
Spectacles—Is a type of eye protection that resembles everyday eyewear but incorporates side shields for enhanced defense1.
Spectacles, often called safety glasses, are engineered to block debris from multiple angles. Their design allows for prescription inserts, making them accessible for those with vision correction needs. Oversized variants fit over regular glasses, ensuring inclusivity for all users1.
Goggles—Is a protective device that encloses the eye area, preventing particulates, fluids, and chemicals from making contact1.
Goggles come in two main forms: eyecup goggles, which seal around the eye socket, and cover goggles, which fit over spectacles. Both types use adjustable bands and ventilation ports to balance protection and comfort. Indirect-vented goggles excel at blocking liquids and fine dust, while direct-vented models focus on airflow1.
Welding helmets and shields—Is a specialized headgear that protects against intense light, sparks, and heat during welding operations1.
Welding helmets shield the eyes, face, and neck from ultraviolet and infrared radiation, as well as flying sparks. Hand shields, a related device, offer portable protection with a handle, allowing workers to position the shield as needed1.
Hoods—Is a non-rigid helmet with impact-resistant windows, often used in confined spaces1.
Hoods provide flexible, collapsible protection, sometimes integrating air-supply systems for environments with airborne hazards. Their design prioritizes portability and adaptability1.
Face shields—Is a device that covers the entire face or part of it, defending against impact, splash, and glare1.
Face shields are often used in conjunction with spectacles, as the visor is frequently lifted. This layered approach ensures continuous eye protection, even when the shield is not in place1.
Respirator face pieces—Is a protective mask that filters airborne particulates, microorganisms, fumes, vapors, and gases1.
Respirator face pieces serve dual roles, safeguarding both the respiratory system and the eyes, especially in environments with hazardous aerosols or vapors1.
Eye protection—Has protection categories that address specific hazards1
Flying objects—Is a risk that includes insects and projectiles, capable of causing corneal injury or irritation1.
Eye protection devices, certified by standards like ANSI/ISEA Z87.1-2020, are tested to withstand impacts from high-speed fragments and small objects, ensuring robust defense in industrial and outdoor settings1.
Flying particles, dust, and wind—Is a hazard that can lead to corneal abrasions and infections1.
Protective eyewear blocks windborne debris, maintaining ocular health in construction, cycling, and other exposed environments1.
Heat, sparks, and splash from molten materials—Is a threat in metalworking and foundry operations, necessitating specialized shields and goggles1.
UV radiation—Is a form of electromagnetic energy that can cause cataracts, macular degeneration, and vision loss with prolonged exposure1.
Eye protection with UV filters, such as sunglasses and welding lenses, mitigates these risks, preserving long-term visual acuity1.
Acid splash; chemical burns—Is a leading cause of eye injuries, often resulting from inadequate or improperly fitted protection1.
Goggles and face shields, when correctly worn, prevent hazardous chemicals from reaching the eyes. Emergency eyewash stations are essential in chemical-handling areas, providing immediate decontamination1.
- Safety goggles: Is a primary protector against liquid, mist, vapor, and fume exposure1.
- Face shields: Is a secondary protector, covering the entire face for severe chemical hazards1.
Abrasive blasting materials—Is a risk in sandblasting and similar processes, requiring high-impact-resistant eye protection1.
Glare or stray light—Is a danger to the retina, potentially causing blindness1.
Sunglasses and specialized filters reduce glare, enhancing comfort and safety in bright environments1.
Injurious optical radiation (Moderate)—Is a hazard from lasers, necessitating wavelength-specific protective eyewear1.
Laser safety glasses filter targeted wavelengths, preventing retinal burns and permanent vision loss1.
Injurious optical radiation (Severe)—Is a risk during arc welding and solar observation, demanding extremely dark lenses1.
Welding glass in shades 12–14 is essential for direct solar or arc viewing, as ordinary sunglasses offer insufficient protection1.
Eye protection—Has other forms and applications that extend beyond industrial and laboratory settings1
- Sports eye protectors shield athletes from insects, dust, and wind blast in activities like cycling and orienteering1.
- Infection control glasses reduce the risk of pathogen transmission in healthcare environments1.
- Eye shields in radiotherapy protect sensitive ocular tissues from ionizing radiation1.
Helmets and visors—Is a category of headgear that integrates eye protection for specific activities and professions1
- Armor visors, used in medieval warfare, protected against impact1.
- Batting helmets with full face coverage defend catchers in baseball and softball1.
- Eyeshields attach to football helmets, blocking impacts1.
- Fighter pilot helmets include visors for sun and wind protection during ejection1.
- Firefighter helmets use visors to guard against infrared rays and radiant heat1.
- Hockey, hurling, and lacrosse helmets employ cages and shields for facial and ocular safety1.
- Lifeboatman’s helmets feature transparent visors to repel sea spray1.
- Motorcycle and bicycle helmets incorporate face shields for wind, dust, and crash protection1.
- Racing helmets use narrower shields to resist fire and impact1.
- Riot protection helmets defend against projectiles and blunt force1.
- Safety helmets, or hard hats, often include visors for construction and forestry work1.
- Space suit helmets use gold-impregnated shields to block solar radiation in space1.
Eye protection—Is a gallery of devices that illustrate the diversity and evolution of ocular safety1
- Safety glasses, sunglasses, welding glasses, swim goggles, laser protection eyewear, and infection control glasses all represent the breadth of modern eye protection1.
- Military and sports adaptations, such as the U.S. Military Combat Eye Protection (MCEP) and cycling-specific shields, highlight the intersection of technology and human need1.
Eye protection—Is a concept that connects to related entities and broader safety paradigm.
- Glasses, helmet, visor, protective headgear, and personal protective equipment all share conceptual and functional ties with eye protection, forming a network of safety solutions that span history, science, and daily life1.
This article needs additional citations for verification. (February 2017) |
Eye protection is protective gear for the eyes, and sometimes face, designed to reduce the risk of injury. Examples of risks requiring eye protection can include: impact from particles or debris, light or radiation, wind blast, heat, sea spray or impact from some type of ball or puck used in sports.
Eye protection are typically separated into categories based on the style of eye wear and the hazard they are designed to reduce. There categories include: Spectacles with side protection; Goggles; Welding helmet; Welding Hand Shields; Non-Rigid Helmets (hoods); Face shield; and Respirator Face pieces.