Your Vision and Safety Glasses

Most people never give their eyeglasses a second thought when they head off to work each day. But what about the people whose jobs require they wear safety glasses? People who have perfect vision or who wear contact lenses don't usually have to worry about this problem and can just use a regular inexpensive pair or the ones companies hand out to their workers. But if you're unable to wear contacts because of things like dry eye syndrome or astigmatism, this won't be an option for you.

Additionally, as everyone ages, whether you wore glasses previously or not, your eyes change. Virtually every person develops presbyopia, which is farsightedness, or the ability to see up close and do things such as read fine print. If your job requires you to be able to see fine detail while wearing safety glasses, this could be a problem. Here's a look at how to manage this problem.

Wear Safety Goggles Over Your Glasses

This isn't the ideal solution, it isn't going to work long-term, and you'll probably look less than attractive sporting two pairs of glasses. But, this is a good option for those who normally wear contact lenses and then suddenly can't for some reason, such as an eye infection.  Don't make the mistake however, of thinking donning your spare pair of eyeglasses will provide enough protection for your eyes until you can go back to wearing contacts. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, American workers suffer 2,000 job-related eye injuries that warrant medical attention on a daily basis. About 33 percent of those require emergency care, and about 100 require the employee to miss work while the injury heals. This almost certainly means lost wages, and even if you file a workers' compensation claim, most states only pay out two-thirds of your wages. Additionally, if your company requires you to wear safety glasses and it is found you were only wearing your eyeglasses, your claim will likely be denied. The risks to both your eyesight and pocketbook aren't worth it.

Schedule an Appointment With an Optometrist

Even if you expect your eye condition to return to normal quickly and you can go back to wearing contact lenses, you should still have a pair of approved prescription safety glasses in case of situations like this. Those who find aging has diminished their ability to see up close should find out more about their condition, and schedule an appointment as well. The strain on your eyes from squinting can cause headaches, blurry vision, and dry or watery eyes. You can then be fitted for both a pair of reading glasses and safety glasses.