They might get lost, scratched and sweaty, but the need for prescription safety glasses is real: an estimated 20,000 eye injuries occur in the American workforce each year.
Finding the right fit and features is difficult, especially for something you might wear hours a day. Which is why we tested the top-reviewed prescription safety glasses and determined the pros and cons of each. Each of the following are confirmed to meet the ANSI Z87.1 safety certification– not only is this safer, but many jobsites require any/all PPE eyewear to comply with this rating.
Elvex Rx Full Lens Magnifier
Price: $10
Distinguishing feature: Full RX lens
Available Diopters: 0.5-2
For heavy duty prescription safety glasses that can withstand ballistic impact, you’ll want to make sure you get something specifically tested and designed. The Elvex RX-500C, with clear, magnifying lenses this is a solid pick for anything requiring detail work, such as welding, and bifocal lens reduce eye strain. It is a bit lighter weight, so the lens may be more prone to coming detached with heavy use.
2. NoCry Over-Spec Safety Glasses
Price: $12
Distinguishing feature: Fits over eyeglasses
Available Diopters: None
While you may think that prescription safety goggles are the way to go, there are more than a few safety goggles that fit over glasses that you might consider. These NoCry Over-Spec Safety Glasses feature adjustable arms, (which is really nice to be honest) and makes them fit securely over the ear. This is a more narrow fit, so those with wider faces may want to look instead at .
3. Dewalt Reinforcer Bifocal
Price: $11
Distinguishing feature: Bifocals
Available Diopters: 1-3
While many prescription safety glasses offer a bifocal lens option, The Dewalt DPG59-115C Reinforcer Rx-Bifocal model is catered specifically towards customers looking for substantial and dependable bifocals. UVA/B protection, a distortion free lens, and even an ergonomic fit offer visual support and comfort for eyes that become fatigued easily.
The Uvex S3763 Genesis Eyewear also features bifocals and a comfortable fit, with an adjustable nose piece, moisture control, and an easy lens replacement system. Fit seems to be especially key here, as many users were pleased with performance but had various concerns about the nosepiece or lens fitting their face- we recommend possibly picking up one of each, considering their low price point. Chances are, you’ll be going through a few pairs of safety glasses due to loss or scratching, so it’s good to know which pair fits you best.
Additional note: Out of all the glasses on the list, these Dewalt’s fit most comfortably over respirator masks, with a wide enough opening to fit on top of (or close to) the nose shroud of the respirator.
4. Pyramex PMXTREME with RX inserts
Price: $14
Distinguishing feature: Built-in prescription inserts
Available Diopters: None