Laser safety eyewear prevents radiation damage to the eye.
Uvex protective eyewear is a brand name under Sperian Protection USA, Inc. Uvex, short for ultraviolet excluded, is the top-selling protective eyewear brand internationally and the Uvex XC (extra coverage) is known as the most successful laser safety spectacle in the U.S. and Europe. According to the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), the eyes and skin are the most susceptible organs to laser damage. Uvex offers laser protective eyewear in a variety of styles with different types of lens coatings for highly specialized laser applications.
Functionality
Laser protective lenses can reflect laser wavelengths for eye safety and improved vision.
Sperian specializes in clear lens with non-scratch coatings to encourage user safety and compliance with laser protective eyewear requirements in the workplace. Lenses for spectacles, goggles and wrap-around eyewear are designed for people who work with lasers in the medical and industrial fields. Lens coatings protect the eye from defined laser wavelengths by reflecting damaging laser light away from the eye and allowing the user to use visible light for improved visual clarity. Sperian also offers clients educational tools, programs and scientific reference to encourage eyewear protection awareness.
Health Effects
Beam exposure to the unprotected eye is the most common laser injury.
The American National Standards Institute classifies lasers by a variety of factors including wavelength and emissions level that determine exposure hazard. Class 1 lasers are the weakest lasers and do not produce a damaging radiation level. Class 2 lasers require controlled exposure conditions. Class 3 and 4 lasers can cause eye damage and require control measures to prevent radiation damage. According to the Centers for Disease Control, lasers are more concentrated forms of light that bring large amounts of light energy to small surface areas. The most common injury caused by a laser involves beam exposure to the eye. Lasers can cause damage to the unprotected eye by magnifying the intensity of the beam. Eye damage by laser exposure depends on spectrum exposure. The California Institute of Technology reports different parts of the unprotected eye can be damaged by laser light depending on the wavelength. Partial or complete blindness can be a result of exposure in the visible and near infrared parts of the spectrum.
OSHA Rules
Industry standards require employers provide eye protection to prevent laser exposure hazards.
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration lists specific standards covering employer responsibility to provide appropriate eye protection for employees exposed to potentially injurious light radiation. Sperian quotes the OSHA general standards from 29 CFR 1910.133 and the safe use of lasers standard from ANSI Z136.1 on the Uvex website.
Eyewear Styles
Laser safety lens filters protect the eye and provide a comfortable visual experience.
Laser safety eyewear comes in a variety of sizes, frames and styles. Polymer and glass filters meet laser safety requirements for various industries, and notch filters create a comfortable visual experience. Uvex customers are encouraged to review all eye protection models and select products with a filter that corresponds to the wavelength of the laser in use and most suitable frame style. Uvex eyewear comes in a variety of models including wrap-around spectacles, anti-fog goggles, over-the-glass spectacles, brow guard glasses and spectacles with prescription inserts.
Cost
Uvex laser protective eyewear prices depend on type of lens purchased.
Uvex laser protective eyewear comes with a wide range of benefits and premium comfort features in a variety of product lines for laser application. Laser protective eyewear cost depends on filter technology protection levels, lens features and frame style. The polymer lens can range in price from $59 to $350; glass lenses cost approximately $225 to $450; and filters with dielectric coating range from $300 to $700.
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