Can You Be A Welder If You Wear Glasses?
Yes, you can certainly be a welder even if you wear glasses. Alternatively, prescription safety glasses or safety goggles designed for use with prescription glasses can also be used. Always ensure your eye protection meets the required safety standards like ANSI Z87.1-.1989 for the US and EN166 for the UK or AS/NZS 1337.1 Certified for NZ/Aus to avoid potential injury.
Pros and cons of using prescription glasses while welding
Welding with prescription glasses can be a convenient and practical solution for welders who require corrective lenses. While they can provide improved vision, they may not always be the most practical solution due to issues such as safety regulations in the workplace.
However, there are pros and cons to using prescription glasses while welding, and it’s important to be aware of the potential risks and limitations. I should know I have been welding with them professionally for the last 23 years.
One of the main benefits of wearing prescription glasses while welding is they can provide improved vision and clarity over the cheaper cheater lenses. Welding requires a high level of precision, and being able to see clearly is essential for achieving accurate results.
A few issues I found are that they can fog up or if you are welding down hand like a 1G plate they can slide down over a longer welding run. As this happens I find myself tilting my head back to keep them on my nose while looking down to still be able to look through them so I can see what I am doing….NOT COOL.
Throughout the day they become dirty during the welding and grinding process obstructing vision and over time the cleaning of them will damage the lenses. Making it difficult to see what you’re working on.
Another thing to consider when it comes to welding with prescription glasses is safety. Welding produces intense light and heat that can cause serious damage not only to your eyes but also to your lenses.
Prescription safety glasses specifically designed for welding are recommended in order to protect both your eyesight and your lenses from damage caused by exposure to ultraviolet (UV) rays and other potentially harmful materials. Overall, using prescription glasses while welding has its pros and cons.
Prescription Safety Glasses for Welding
When it comes to welding with prescription glasses, safety eyewear should always be the top priority. Regular prescription glasses may not provide adequate protection against harmful rays and debris, which is why it’s important to invest in prescription safety glasses designed specifically for welding. are made from materials that can withstand the high heat and bright light produced during the welding process.
They also feature lenses that filter out harmful UV and IR radiation, which can cause serious eye damage over time. Additionally, and most importantly like regular safety glasses they are designed to fit snugly around your face to prevent welding sparks and spatter from entering your eyes while you’re welding.
Trust me I have had foreign bodies dug out of my eyes twice over my career of welding, I don’t recommend. That was me wearing my welding hood and my prescription frames.
When choosing prescription safety glasses for welding, there are several factors to consider. First and foremost, make sure that the lenses are made from a material that can withstand high heat and bright light without getting damaged or melted.
Most workplaces will need to see the certification of the lenses and the frames
Polycarbonate lenses are a popular choice due to their durability and impact resistance. Next, look for glasses with lenses that offer full protection of UV and IR light radiation.
This will ensure that your eyes are fully protected against harmful radiation while you’re welding. Some lenses may also come with anti-fog or scratch-resistant coatings, which can help keep your vision clear during long periods of use.
Overall, investing in prescription safety glasses for welding is a smart decision for anyone who wears prescription eyewear on the job. Not only will they provide essential protection against eye damage caused by welding with prescription glasses but they’ll also allow you to see clearly while working on intricate welds or projects without worrying about debris entering your eyes.
They will also last longer because of the anti-scratch coating and on those hot humid days, they will have the added benefit of an anti-fog coating. Those two reasons alone make them a smart choice.
Can You Weld With Regular Prescription Glasses
If you’re a welder who wears prescription glasses, you may be wondering if your regular glasses are enough to protect your eyes from the bright sparks and intense light of welding. The answer is not as straightforward as a simple “yes” or “no.” While it is possible to weld with regular prescription glasses, there are some important factors to consider.
First and foremost, regular prescription glasses do not provide the same level of protection as proper welding safety glasses. Welding lenses are made to filter out harmful UV light and infrared light that can cause welder’s flash, a painful eye condition similar to sunburn of the eyes.
Without this specialized lens coating, your regular prescription glasses or contact lenses won’t offer adequate protection for long-term welding use. Additionally, standard prescription eyeglasses may not be strong enough to withstand the impact of flying debris or welding spatter that can occur during welding.
This can lead to scratched lenses or even shattered frames that could put your eyes at risk for injury. Another factor to consider when using regular prescription glasses for welding is their fit.
Welding helmets have a specific shape and size which can make it difficult for some types of eyeglasses to fit properly under them. This means that the helmet may not provide full coverage over the eyes and face from any potential hazards while working with hot materials during welding with prescription glasses on.
Overall, while it may be tempting to rely on your regular prescription eyeglasses for welding projects, it’s essential for both safety and comfort reasons that you invest in proper protective gear designed specifically for this type of work. Prescription safety glasses designed specifically for welding offer superior protection against harmful rays and flying debris while also providing a more secure fit under a welding helmet so you can focus on getting the job done right without worrying about your vision being compromised by any means while doing so with appropriate gear such as properly designed Prescription Safety Glasses for Welding.
Adapting Prescription Glasses for Welding
If you have prescription glasses and want to use them for welding, there are a few things you can do to adapt them to the task.
The good news is that it’s possible to use your regular glasses for welding, with some modifications. The first option is to buy lens covers that fit over your prescription glasses.
These covers offer extra UV protection. They are also available in amber color for darker working conditions. The downside to them is they might not be the most comfortable under your welding helmet.
The most important modification is to see if your prescription frames can accept clip-on-side protection.
If you work in a busy welding shop side protectors will provide UV protection from the welding arc from the guy next to you when your welding mask is up.
Some covers come with magnetic clips that attach to your glasses frame, while others have straps or hooks.
These lenses are made of durable materials that can withstand high temperatures and intense light produced during welding. They are available in different shades and can be customized according to your specific needs.
You could consider getting a separate pair of safety glasses specifically designed for welding. While this option may require an additional expense, it offers the most comprehensive protection against potential hazards associated with welding with prescription glasses.
Adapting prescription glasses for welding is possible but requires some consideration and planning. Whether it’s through lens covers or specially-made prescription lenses or separate safety glasses, there are options available that will protect your eyes while allowing you to continue working on your projects while wearing your own prescription eyewear.
How To Look After Your Pair Of Glasses
After a few hours of working on your welding project, you may notice dust is landing on your lenses. A lot of times you might be tempted to give them a wipe on your shirt or the nearest rag. I wouldn’t recommend that. The lenses will be covered in grinding dust or welding fumes. One wipe won’t hurt?
Well if you plan to look after them for a few years, this bad habit will soon leave your glasses scratched in a few weeks even if you did it a couple of times.
I suggest blowing them off gently with an air duster or running them under some water to get 99% of the debris off before you use a cleaning cloth.
If you are tacking something up with the MIG and you close your eyes and look away as you do, this will yellow the lenses very quickly.
Conclusion
Welding with prescription glasses can be a safe and effective way to work on projects. While there are some limitations and potential risks associated with using regular prescription glasses for welding, there are also viable options available for those who need corrective lenses to see while working. One of the biggest advantages of using prescription safety glasses for welding is their added protection.
These glasses are specifically designed to protect your eyes from flying debris and harmful radiation that can cause serious damage if not properly protected. Additionally, these types of glasses often offer additional features such as anti-fog coatings or scratch-resistant lenses that can make them more comfortable to wear during long periods of use. They have also a lot of brands that offer affordable prices.
For those who do not have access to prescription safety glasses or cannot afford them, modifying regular prescription glasses may be an option. However, it is important to keep in mind that these modified glasses may not provide the same level of protection as dedicated welding safety gear and could potentially put the user at risk for eye injuries or other accidents.
Overall, it is important for welders with vision impairments to take the necessary steps to protect your eyes while working on projects. By taking advantage of prescription safety glasses or modifying existing prescriptions as needed, you can ensure that their vision remains clear and protected while performing essential tasks like welding with prescription glasses. If you are wondering if auto-darkening helmets can give you arc eye I did a deep dive on them here.
