Buying prescription safety glasses online can feel risky. You can’t try them on, flex the arms, or see how they look on your face before purchasing. But that doesn’t mean you need to guess about fit or comfort.
All that you need to order a pair of glasses online safely is your existing pair. With a few minutes and a ruler, you can use the sunglasses or glasses you wear now to find the perfect fit online. This guide provides step-by-step instructions covering how to buy prescription safety glasses online to help you find the right pair.
The first thing you’ll need is your everyday glasses or sunglasses. Look inside the temple arms, and you should see three numbers formatted like this: 54-18-140.
These numbers are standardized across the eyewear industry and correspond to how the frame fits your face. You can use them to find the ideal frame for your online purchase.
The first number (54) shows the horizontal width of a lens at its widest point. This impacts how much of your field of vision is covered by the glasses and how the frame sits across your face.
The next number (18) measures the bridge width. This is the distance between the lenses where the frame rests on your nose. Bridge width plays a major role in comfort and stability. If the bridge is too wide, glasses will slide down your face. If it’s too narrow, they can pinch you and leave pressure marks, leading to issues like headaches and sore eyes.
The last number (140) is the length of the arms that extend back to your ears. Temple length affects how secure the glasses feel on your face. It also determines whether the glasses apply pressure behind your ears during long wear.
If your current glasses fit well, look for prescription safety glasses with measurements within 2 millimeters of your current values. This should lead to a very similar fit.
You can also complete a virtual try-on through RX-Safety to see the frame on your face before purchasing.
The next step is measuring the width of your frame. This metric impacts whether a pair of glasses feels tight, loose, or balanced. It’s important to match your safety glasses frame width to what’s already working well for you.
Some people think that lens width alone determines how wide a frame feels. But two frames with the same lens size can fit completely differently based on hinge placement, frame thickness, and design.
The general categories for glasses frame width are:
You can use your current glasses to find your ideal frame width for the next pair. Here’s how:
1. Open your current glasses and lay them face down on a flat surface.
2. Grab a ruler or tape measure.
3. Measure from the outer edge of the left hinge to the outer edge of the right hinge.
4. Record the measurement in millimeters.
Try to match this measurement to your existing frame width when ordering a new pair of prescription safety glasses. Even a small difference could impact your comfort during long shifts.
Safety glasses fit similarly to everyday glasses. But there are a few key differences you should know about before placing your order.
First, many safety frames feature a wraparound or semi-wrap design. This provides better side coverage so particles can’t enter your eyes from those angles. These frames often fit more snugly than standard glass because they need to stay secure. You may want to choose a slightly wider frame for safety glasses to improve comfort — especially if your everyday pair already feels a bit tight.
Some prescription safety glasses also include removable foam gaskets, which create a seal around the eyes to protect them from debris. This can increase pressure on your face during long wear sessions, which you can solve by choosing a slightly wider frame.
Safety glasses also usually have thicker temples and integrated side shields compared to everyday eyewear. These provide additional impact resistance, side protection, and sturdiness. This can also make glasses feel heavier, so you may want to choose a slightly lighter pair than usual.
If you’ve struggled with eyewear fit in the past, these guidelines can help to avoid repeating the same issues. We’ll look at some common complaints and what they indicate:
“My glasses always slide down my nose.”
This typically means the bridge is too wide for you. Look for frames with a narrower bridge measurement or adjustable nose pads.
“My glasses hurt behind my ears.”
This often happens when the temple arms are too short. Choose a longer length to relieve pressure and improve comfort during long shifts.
“My glasses squeeze my head.”
This typically means your frame width is too narrow for your face.
“I have a strong prescription.”
Higher prescriptions tend to benefit from smaller lens widths. Make sure to choose a safety frame that’s specifically rated for strong prescriptions.
Remember, prescription safety glasses sizing can be a bit different than your everyday pair’s sizing. You may want to review a glasses size chart and order a bit above your standard temple length for added comfort.
Once you have your measurements, you can begin shopping. Compare your lens width, bridge width, temple length, and total frame width to online product specifications. You’ll also want to choose frames that align with your work environment. For example, some options are better for humid environments and lens fogging than others.
Whether you’re shopping for everyday protection or specialized safety applications, knowing your measurement helps you find the ideal fit. RX-Safety offers a wide selection of ANSI-certified prescription safety glasses for women and men. Explore our catalog with your measurements, and buy your next pair of prescription safety glasses online.
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