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Why Eye Protection Matters

Your eyes are your most valuable tools, yet thousands of preventable eye injuries occur every day—many resulting in long-term vision problems. The good news? Up to 90% of eye injuries can be prevented with proper safety eyewear.

At North Toronto Eye Care, we believe protecting your vision is as important as correcting it. Whether you’re at work, on the ice, or enjoying outdoor sports, choosing the right eyewear can make all the difference.

Eye Protection at Work: Safety Glasses, Face Shields, Welding Glasses, and More

In Canada, workplace eye safety standards are guided by the Canadian Standards Association (CSA Standard Z94.3-15), which aligns closely with U.S. ANSI Z87.1 standards used by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA).

If you work in construction, healthcare, manufacturing, or laboratory environments, your employer or Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB) officer can advise you on the eye protection required for your role.

Common protective eyewear types include:

  • Safety Glasses: Shield against flying debris and impact from power tools or machinery.
  • Face Shields: Add full-face coverage for high-risk or chemical splash environments (must be worn with underlying glasses or goggles).
  • Welding Glasses: Offer advanced protection against radiant light and heat; select those compliant with CSA Z94.3 or ANSI-rated filters for your welding type.
  • Chemical Goggles: Provide a tight seal against liquid splashes and vapors.

For any activity involving grinding, drilling, or debris, look for eyewear marked CSA-approved or ANSI Z87.1+ for high-impact protection.

Eye Protection at Play: Sports and Recreational Safety

Sports-related eye injuries are common—but preventable. Whether you’re playing hockey, racquet sports, or skiing, your protective eyewear should meet standards that match your sport’s intensity.

  • Racquet sports, basketball, and soccer: Follow ASTM F803 (impact-resistant face protectors).
  • Youth baseball: ASTM F910 (youth face guards).
  • Ice hockey: ASTM F513 or F1587 (goalie face shields and visors).
  • Skiing and snowboarding: ASTM F659, offering high-impact and UV-protection lenses to reduce glare and prevent snow blindness.

Your sport’s national association—such as Hockey Canada or Canada Soccer—often specifies which protective eyewear is mandatory or recommended.

Shooting, Airsoft, Recreational, and Protests Protection

No single pair of glasses works for every activity. For projectile or shooting sports, always wear high-impact ANSI Z87.1+ or CSA-certified eyewear.

Examples include:

  • Paintball: ASTM F1776
  • Airsoft: ASTM F2879
  • Hunting or range shooting: ANSI Z87.1+ or MIL-PRF-32432 (military-grade protection)
  • Protest or riot environments: Use sealed, non-vented goggles (Z87.1+ rated) for protection against debris, pepper spray, or tear gas.

Many of these protective lenses are available with prescription options or as OTG (Over-the-Glasses) styles.

Building a Culture of Eye Safety

Eye protection isn’t just a workplace rule—it’s a lifelong habit. Choosing eyewear tested to CSA or ANSI standards prevents irreversible harm and promotes a safety-first mindset for those around you.

Safeguard your vision—at work, at play, and everywhere in between. Visit North Toronto Eye Care and our community optometrists to explore CSA- and ANSI-certified options designed for both performance and comfort.

References

  1. https://www.aao.org/eye-health/tips-prevention/injuries-protective-eyewear
  2. https://www.aao.org/eye-health/tips-prevention/injuries-work
  3. https://www.aao.org/eye-health/tips-prevention/injuries-sports
  4. https://www.hexarmor.com/posts/what-do-lens-markings-and-z87-mean
  5. https://thevisioncouncil.org/sites/default/files/VCASSESafetyReportv4.pdf