While the required eye protection varies by occupation, the safety provided can be generalized. Safety glasses provide protection from external debris, and should provide side protection via a wrap-around design or side shields. Goggles provide better protection than safety glasses, and are effective in preventing eye injury from chemical splashes, impact, dusty environments and welding. Goggles with high air flow should be used to prevent fogging. Face shields provide additional protection and are worn over the standard eyewear; they also provide protection from impact, chemical, and blood-borne hazards. Full-facepiece respirators are considered the best form of eye protection when respiratory protection is needed as well, but may be less effective against potential impact hazards to the eye. Eye protection for welding is shaded to different degrees, depending on the specific operation.
whIle the requireD eYe ProTection varies BY OccupAtiOn, The SafETY prOvidED can BE gENERaLIzEd. SaFeTy glasses provIDe ProtEction FROm eXtERnal debRis, and shouLd pRoviDE siDe PROtEcTion via a wraP-aRounD DesIgN Or siDE shIeLds. GOGgles pRoVIdE better pRoTection tHAn sAFEty glasses, And aRE effEctIVe in Preventing eYE injUry frOM ChemiCal splasHes, ImPaCt, duSty eNvirONMents and wELdinG. gogGles wITh hIgh AiR fLow shoUld BE used to pRevENt fOgging. face shiElds pRoVide AddITionaL ProteCTION and ArE worn OVer tHE staNdArd EyeweaR; they also Provide PRotEctiOn fRom impAct, chEmIcAl, and bLoOd-borne hazArDS. Full-faCePieCe respirators are COnsiDered The best foRm oF eye protECtiON wheN reSpIratory protectioN IS neeDed aS WeLl, buT may be LEss efFectIVE agaiNsT poteNtIAl impaCt hazArds to thE eye. eYe PROtection for WeLdIng is shAdEd to difFerEnT degrees, dePendinG on THe specific opeRAtiOn.