Did you know? About 95 per cent of eye injuries treated in Australian and New Zealand hospitals are a result of carelessness and lack of attention to basic eye safety. There’s a lot more to eye protection than just putting on a pair of safety glasses. There are numerous products available in the market which claim eye safety. By having a good understanding of the different kinds of eye protection, you can make an informed choice and find the solution that is best for you.

Common Causes of Eye Injury:

  • Impact – such as plastic pieces or metal flakes can hit your eye and result in puncture, scratch or cause bruising.
  • Dust – sanding or woodwork can cause dust and grit to fly into your eye, resulting in irritation and scratches.
  • Chemical - harmful chemical vapours, mists and fumes, or liquid chemicals splashing into your eyes, can burn the surface of your eye.
  • Heat – exposure to high temperatures, molten metal, or hot sparks poses a potential burn hazard.
  • Visible Radiation – unprotected exposure to an intense light source, such as laser, can result in retinal burns and permanent loss of vision.
  • Ultraviolet (invisible) radiation – sources of UV radiation such as welding arc can cause burns to the cornea and conjunctiva, cataracts and retinal damage.


PROPER PROTECTION

Different situations require different types of protective eyewear. The main types of protective eyewear are safety glasses, safety goggles and face shields. The HOYA Safety Prescription range is available in the revolutionary Phoenix material, available with tinted and non-tinted, as well as polarised and photochromic options. The HOYA Safety range options include Single Vision, Bifocal and Multi-focal lenses. When considering safety glasses, it is important to know that one of the most important parts of safety frames is the lenses. The Phoenix lens material offered by HOYA is the most suitable eye safety lens solution and meets all safety requirements.

INTRODUCING HOYA SAFETY EYEWEAR

HOYA Lens has been offering prescription Safety Eyewear since 2007, and currently offers low and medium impact safety frames and lenses under the 1337.6 ANZ standard. HOYA’s Safety Eyewear range offers a complete product including frame, lenses and safety certification. The extensive frame range has been independently tested to suit all workplace environments.

LOW VS. MEDIUM IMPACT

The type of safety eyewear you wear is dependent on the task or activity conducted, and the risk that task can have on damaging your eyes. HOYA Safety Eyewear offers both low and medium impact options: Low Impact: Suitable for tasks where there is low risk of damage to the eyes, with no debris, however some protection is still required. Suitable for occupations such as a dentist, doctor or any chemical laboratory related tasks. Medium Impact: Suitable for occupations where there is a high risk of debris that can damage the eyes, or where blunt objects are utilised. This can include mining, construction, grinding, farming and agriculture, wood- orking, machinery usage, hammering or brick laying.

HOYA’s unique proprietary Phoenix 1.53 lens material is a medium impact certified lens material used throughout HOYA’s Safety Eyewear range. It is completely resistant to common chemicals, making it the perfect material for safety in the workplace. Phoenix is also extremely light-weight and is available with HOYA’s Super Hard Coat and VP Multi-coat, guaranteeing crisp, clear vision across the entire surface of the lens. Chemical Resistant - Phoenix (polyurethane) Safety Lenses are also completely resistant to common chemicals such as acetone, perfumes, hairspray, solvents, windex and ammonia.

SAFETY EYEWEAR STANDARD

On the 22nd July 2012 a new standard became effective covering safety prescription eyewear for low and medium impact requirements called 1337.6.2012. This new standard provides a more suitable option for people with prescription safety requirements, other than a mask and fit over goggles. 

SAI GLOBAL ACCREDITATION

To ensure the highest quality products, HOYA Lens Australia has gained accreditation with SAI Global (licence number SMKH20522). Each frame and lens is independently tested by a NATA accredited laboratory for low and medium impact, ballistics testing, penetration tests at both ambient and elevated temperatures, thickness criteria and prescription accuracy. SAI Global conduct a bi-annual audit to ensure all records and batch testing samples are maintained by HOYA Lens Australia.

AVAILABILE LENS RANGE

The Hoya saftey range is available in Single Vision, Progressive and Bifocal lens types in a wide range of prescriptions. 
• Available in clear, Sensity, Transitions and tints
• Available in HOYA’s unique Phoenix 1.53 material
• Available in HOYA’s Super Hard Coat and Superior Scratch resistant VP Multi-coat

Abernethy Owens hold a range of Hoya safety frame samples in all practices at all times. They include stanadard metal frames with side shields from Cummings Optical as well as plastic styles from the Matador and Ugly Fish ranges. WIth foam inserts and detachable straps there is sure to be a frame suitable for all uses. Come in to see the range and get yours ordered.