When you invest in something, even if it isn’t a terribly expensive purchase but has a lot of value and is something you depend on to get by on a daily basis, you want that investment to last as long as possible. For professionals who work in industries in which they need laser safety glasses, it just makes good sense to properly care for your eye wear in order to keep them for a longer period of time and get the most use out of them. Not only that, in order to have optimal eye wear that protects your eyes efficiently, you have to protect your eye wear. In this post, we will take a look at a few simple things you can do to make your laser safety glasses last you even longer.

1. Clean Your Glasses on a Daily Basis: It may sound like a nuisance or even a bit unnecessary to clean your laser safety glasses on a daily basis, but it’s well worth it to take a couple of extra seconds to clean them and get even more years out of them in the long run. As a general rule of thumb, plan to thoroughly clean your laser safety glasses once your work day has ended. There is no point in trying to clean them every few hours throughout the day if you are still going to be using them. Once you clock out, give your glasses a quick cleaning so they will be in good shape when you use them again the next day. Cleaning your glasses could just mean running them under water to gently rinse them or using a special, anti-scratch rag to wipe the dust and other particles away. Other methods of cleaning glasses could include towelettes or even a can of compressed air (used to clear the lenses of particles and debris that get trapped in between the lenses and the frames).
2. Don’t Use Just Anything to Clean Your Safety Glasses: Whether it is a rag or a certain type of cleaning solution, it is absolutely necessary that you are aware of what you are cleaning your laser safety glasses with and whether it is safe for the lenses. The last thing you want to do is compromise your vision in a dangerous work environment simply because you cleaned your safety eye wear with the wrong product. Stick to cleaning solutions that are made specifically for glasses. Avoid household cleaners, even ones that are designed for glass surfaces. These cleaning solutions often contain harsh chemicals that will eventually strip any protective coating and scratch-resistance you had on your laser safety lenses. Just like cleaning solutions, there are also plenty of rags and cloths that should be avoided. When you use abrasive cloths to wipe your lenses, you can end up scratching them and significantly reducing your ability to see clearly with your safety glasses. Only clean your eye wear with a special solution specifically for eye wear, a soft, non-abrasive cloth, and warm water.
3. Replace Glasses When Necessary: While yes, the whole point of this post is to introduce you to different ways to extend the life of your laser safety glasses, the most important thing to remember is that protecting your eyes takes precedent over protecting your eye wear. Eventually, your laser safety glasses will need to be replaced. If they aren’t, it will cause you to strain and damage your eyes. And compromised vision is the last thing you need when you are working in a hazardous environment. If the lenses on your laser safety glasses are overly scratched or the frames are damaged, these issues can not only harm your vision, but put your overall safety a risk. If you have had your laser safety glasses for years and they’ve already endured extensive wear, it’s a good sign that it is time to invest in new eye wear.
4. Consider Investing in a Retention Strap: It really is the simple, little things that can promote a longer life for your laser safety glasses; like purchasing a retention strap to go along with your eye wear. Why is this such a wise investment? If you are like most people who wear safety glasses, you aren’t going to be wearing them when you aren’t working or exposed to lasers. When someone takes a break or goes on lunch, it isn’t uncommon to take the safety glasses off and set them on a counter, bench, or other area where they are exposed and susceptible to damage. Unless you are able to store them in a case whenever you are not wearing them, consider attaching a retention strap to them. This way, you will be able to hang them around your neck whenever you are not using them. And you will never lose them when they are on your person at all times.

Need more advice on how to care for your laser safety glasses or other type of special eye wear? Don’t hesitate to contact us for more information. We are happy to answer all of your questions and talk to you about your safety eye wear needs whether you need protection from lasers, radiation, or both. If you have never purchased special safety eye wear before and are unsure of how to buy the right pair of glasses for you, talk to our team today to get the most valuable product for you!