Safety Glasses Cost

How Much Do Safety Glasses Cost?

	Basic Pair: $10-$50
	With Anti-Fog or Polarized Lenses: $40-$250+

Safety glasses are used for a variety of purposes to protect the eyes from injuries that can damage eyesight.

Typical costs:

• For patients with health insurance, out-of-pocket costs typically consist of doctor visit copays and coinsurance of 10%-50% for the glasses. Non-prescription safety glasses typically are not covered by vision insurance. Prescription safety glasses are covered under some plans, but excluded from others. For example, this plan[1] through Vision Service Plan covers prescription safety glasses. But this CIGNA plan[2] excludes safety glasses required for work; however, federal law requires employers to provide safety eyewear.

• For patients without health insurance, safety glasses typically cost about $10-$50 for a basic pair or a basic pair with bifocals. They can cost up to $150 or more for glasses with designer frames and anti-fog lenses, polarized lenses or interchangeable lenses. Light-adjusting safety glasses[3] , which have lenses that darken in bright light or protect from laser radiation, typically cost about $40-$250.
• For example, at SafetyGlassesUSA.com, economy safety glasses[4] cost about $1-$3. And bifocal safety glasses[5] there cost $6-$30 or more. At Cooper Safety Supply, basic safety glasses[6] cost $5-$30. At MedicalSafetyGlasses.com, splash safety glasses[7] , to protect the eyes from spattering blood and other types of fluids, cost from less than $10-$45.
• Anti-fog safety glasses[8] typically cost about $2 for a basic pair to $69 for designer, polarized safety sunglasses with anti-scratch lenses. Polarized safety glasses[9] , typically used to cut down on glare for work in the sun, cost from less than $15-$100. Multi-lens safety glasses[10] and kits, which come with different types, colors and tints of lenses, cost about $30-$120 or more.

What should be included:

• Features can vary widely depending on the use and individual preference. Safety glasses typically have extremely sturdy frames and lenses made of polycarbonate, which is a strong type of plastic that can withstand being hit by flying objects. Many options are available for lenses and frames, depending on the use. For example, some safety glasses have a layer of foam between the frames and face to offer addition protection from flying dust or debris. There are polarized or anti-fog lenses for work in the outdoors or other harsh environments.
• Medical safety glasses, which are designed to protect the eyes from the spatter of bodily fluids, are made of lightweight plastic and not designed to protect the eye from hard flying objects or debris.
• Laser safety glasses, for researchers and other professionals who work near lasers, protect the eyes from laser radiation, and must be very carefully selected based on the type of laser. It is essential that workers consult their employers to determine the exact type of glasses needed; otherwise, serious eye damage or blindness could result.
• AllAboutVision.com offers a Q&A about safety glasses and eye safety[11] .

• Pouches or cases to carry the glasses typically cost less than $30. For example, at SafetyGlassesUSA.com, cases[12] cost about $2-$30.
• A neck cord, to wear the glasses around the neck when not in use, usually costs less than $10.
• In some cases, side shields, which are pieces of clear plastic that fit onto the sides of the glasses, are used in addition to safety glasses. They usually cost less than $10.

• The Occupational Safety and Health Administration requires that employers pay for protective eyewear for employees, according to an OSHA handout[13] .

• Patients who need prescription safety glasses will need to visit an eye doctor. The American Academy of Ophthalmology provides an ophthalmologist locator[14] , and it is recommended to verify board certification by contacting the American Board of Ophthalmology[15] . WebMD explains how to choose an eye doctor[16] .
• Safety glasses can be purchased from an eye doctor or optical shop, an online retailer, a sporting goods store or home improvement store. AllAboutVision.com offers a buying guide for safety glasses[17] .