Do my prescription glasses provide sufficient protection when treating patients?

While any form of eyewear will provide some level of protection against the splash/spray of blood or other body fluids, the style of many of today’s frames are quite small and do not afford appropriate ocular protection. Disposable side shields, which are designed to fit all types of frames, provide a certain degree of additional protection. Unfortunately, if they are not placed correctly on the arm of the prescription glasses or they are not flush against the sides of the lenses, the opportunity increases for splash/spray to reach the eye. Therefore, specifically designed protective eyewear with side shields, or a face shield worn in conjunction with prescription glasses, or a disposable mask with face shield will provide the greatest barrier against aerosols and macroscopic debris.