Safety glasses protect your eyes from imminent danger, but if you don’t perceive the dangers as real threats, you’re probably not wearing them.
At Stoggles, we don’t just make amazing safety glasses; we wear them, too. Let’s talk about the real dangers your eyes are exposed to and how you can protect your eyes from damage by donning a pair of the world’s most comfortable (and we’d argue iconic) safety glasses.
Your Eyes at a Glance
Your eyes are complex, and unlike other really important parts of your body, they’re left virtually unprotected. While your brain is encased in your skull and your heart behind your ribcage, your eyes are protected by a thin membrane, flaps of skin that open and close, and a few hairs (eyelashes).
The anatomy of the eye enables us to see, but it also leaves us vulnerable to eye irritation and injury.
Cornea
The cornea is the dome-shaped cover that protects your eyes. Behind your lids, lashes, and conjunctiva, it is the first line of defense that keeps your eyes protected against external stressors. Because the cornea is on the outside of your eye, it’s common for it to become irritated or even infected.
The conjunctiva, the paper-thin covering over the cornea, often becomes irritated, resulting in conjunctivitis.
Iris and Lens
The iris and lens are the parts of your eye that collect light. They capture light and focus it directly onto the retina in the back of your eye.
Retina
The retina is where vision happens. The retina is home to retinal cells and the macula, which is a structure in your eye responsible for detailed vision.
When the retina receives light from the lens and iris, the retinal cells transmit the data to the brain via the optic nerve. The brain then interprets what we see, resulting in our vision.
Retinal Cells
An interesting fact about retinal cells is they don’t regenerate. That means if they’re damaged, a portion (or even all) of your vision can be lost. Because retinal cells are limited, it’s important to protect them as much as possible, even if you think you aren’t at risk of damaging them.
How Common Are Eye Injuries
No one wakes up with an eye injury on the agenda, but the fact is they’re really common. With over 2.5 million eye injuries occurring worldwide, 50,000 results in partial or permanent vision loss, there’s a risk to your eyes when performing even common household tasks.
- 2,000 eye-related injuries per day happen on the job, with about one-third of those injuries resulting in hospital visits and over 100 causing time off from work.
- Nearly half of all eye injuries happen at home
- 40% of eye injuries happen as the result of involvement in sports or recreational activities.
These are some seriously sobering statistics, but the good news is that 90% of all eye injuries are completely preventable with protective eyewear. Eye injuries aren’t a matter of “if,” but more of a matter of “when.”
If you aren’t wearing safety glasses, it’s time to start.
5 (Not So Common) Reasons Why You Should Be Wearing Safety Glasses
If the statistics don’t convince you that your eyes need protection, these five reasons will.
1. Eye Sensitivity
Ever feel like your eyes are tired, weak, strained, fatigued, itchy, watery, or just plain uncomfortable? You probably deal with eye sensitivity. If you sit behind a computer, blue light sensitivity can make your eyes uncomfortable and even result in headaches.
Eye sensitivity can be reduced simply by wearing glasses that block out blue light. Most users notice a significant reduction in the level of eye sensitivity they experience after protecting their eyes with blue-light-blocking safety glasses.
2. Allergies
If you’ve got them, you know how difficult it can be to deal with allergies, especially if they affect your vision. Itching, watering, burning, and the occasional development of infections can make it hard to see.
Safety glasses create a unique barrier between your eyes and the outside world, by offering both side and top shields. These shields prevent pollen, pollution, and other external irritants from making their way into your eyes.
Safety glasses are unique in helping you avoid both seasonal and perennial allergies.
- Seasonal allergies: These types of allergens usually refer to plants that bloom in season, producing pollen that can irritate your eyes.
- Perennial allergies: Perennial allergens refer to allergies that can affect your eyes year-round, like pet dander or cigarette smoke.
Wearing safety glasses when you know you’ll be exposed to allergens can dramatically reduce your discomfort and help you see more clearly.
3. UV Exposure
The sun’s ultraviolet rays are damaging not just to your skin but also to your eyes. UV damage can cause the cornea to burn, resulting in a condition called photokeratitis. Light reflected off of surfaces like water and snow can also damage your eyes.
Wearing safety glasses with UV blocking lenses protects your eyes when you’re exposed to ultraviolet rays. Just a side note: the darkness or shading of your glasses doesn’t necessarily correlate to their UV protection.
Stoggles, for instance, are crystal clear but made from polycarbonate, a material that is naturally UV blocking.
4. Strike Risk
If you’ve ever made a mistake during a home improvement project or watched your lawnmower skip a rock across your yard at lightning speed, you’re fully acquainted with the risk to your vision, whether you realize it or not.
Anytime you’re involved in an activity that results in fragments, shards, or particles, there’s a potential for those materials to strike your eye. Even the most mundane activities can result in eye injury.
Safety glasses protect your eyes from strikes and impact. Unlike your regular glasses or sunglasses, safety glasses have been tested to ensure they don’t shatter or break on contact.
All Stoggles safety glasses are ANSI Z87.1-2020 certified, the industry standard for impact resistance and shatterproof safety.
5. Hobbies
Whether you’re golfing, biking, or playing racquetball, there is a chance of eye injury. Nothing can take you out of the game quicker than sustaining an injury, and if that injury is related to your vision, the damage could be permanent.
No one wants to wear personal protective equipment that isn’t comfortable or interferes with your ability to play properly. That’s why Stoggles are lightweight, streamlined, and supremely wearable no matter what activity you’re participating in.
Not Just Any Safety Glasses; Get Stoggles
You know the risks and the reasons why, but let’s face it. Historically, safety glasses haven’t held the spotlight for the height of fashionable accessories. Lucky for you, times have changed. Stoggles exist to bring together style and safety because if you don’t feel great in your safety glasses, you probably aren’t going to wear them.
Available in two different frame shapes, two different frame sizes, and numerous color options, Stoggles gives you the ability to protect your eyes and your stylistic reputation. You never need to feel like a middle school biology student when protecting your eyes.
The risk to your eyes is real, and it’s important to protect your vision. Stoggles give you the safety you need with the wearability you love.
Sources:
Anatomy of the Eye | Johns Hopkins Medicine
Emergency Department Visits Related to Eye Injuries, 2008 | HCUP
