Most safety managers are well aware of the important role safety eyewear plays in protecting workers’ eyes from impact, heat, chemical and dust hazards. In general, the better the fit and the greater the coverage, the greater the protection safety eyewear delivers from those hazards. However, a less obvious — but equally important — safety benefit delivered by such eyewear is protection from optical radiation.
Optical hazards range from visible light to invisible rays including ultraviolet (UV) and infrared (IR) radiation. Whether the source is natural or artificial, repeated or extended exposure to optical radiation can cause serious damage to the eyes. Over time, exposure to ultraviolet rays alone can lead to macular degeneration — a leading cause of vision loss for older Americans — as well as cataracts, skin cancer around the eyelids, corneal sunburn and other temporary and permanent vision problems.