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The shift to provide workers with better protection on the job has been felt at Hoya. The SafeVision by Hoya program has seen a post-COVID surge in growth as employees head back to in-person manufacturing jobs. “There has been a significant shift across a multitude of industries to ensure that workers are well-protected while on the job, even across many job functions where safety eyewear has not been historically required,” said Bruce Scott, vice president of Hoya Global Safety and Hoya wholesale division.




The SafeVision Ravn frame.
  
“SafeVision is proud of our continued support of independent eyecare professionals through our partnership with more than 8,000 ECPs across North America,” he said.

He noted, this shift is beginning to yield new cultures where companies do not simply do what is required by Occupational Safety and Health Administration, but are striving to exceed standards to provide their employees with the best protection, in turn aiding with employee satisfaction, retention and an overall sense of well-being for the individual.

To meet this challenge, SafeVision’s best-in-class Pentax prescription safety frame line continues to grow with new styles every year, with two new styles scheduled to be launched in the next few months.

The company said the Pentax Ravn, launching in early 2024, is a non-conductive, prescription-ready safety frame with integrated side shields. The lightweight frames feature a rubber over-mold on the temple tips for added grip and adjustable nose pads to improve fitting. The soft touch brow bar helps keep falling debris away from the eyes, plus the frame front and temples feature indirect venting to reduce fogging.

It will be available in one size and three colors: Black with Yellow accents, Black with Gray accents, and Clear with Blue accents. The Ravn meets ANSI Z87.1 standards for high mass/velocity impact resistance as well as CSA Z94.3 safety standards for Canada.

The Pentax Attitude 7, also launching in early 2024, is a hybrid metal design featuring a soft touch brow-bar with built in, adjustable nose pads. This helps keep out debris and ensures a proper fit that’s comfortable to wear all day long. The rubber temple tips keep them from slipping while engaging in rigorous tasks.

Crystal clear, polycarbonate side shields are permanently attached and perfectly compliment the modern styling of this unique design. It will be launched in two sizes and two colors: Matte Gunmetal with Black/Gray accents and a Matte Brown with Black/Gray accents.

“More than ever before, today’s eyecare professionals are being challenged to maximize every single patient opportunity,” Scott said. “The increasing manufacturing labor market across the U.S. and Canada has meant that prescription safety eyewear continues to be an extremely important opportunity for ECPs.”

Scott noted, a prescription safety eyewear patient can carry many additional revenue opportunities for an independent eyecare professional, as these patients often need a new refraction. He added, they will normally need new dress eyewear or prescription sunwear, and they may have a spouse or children who need eyewear.

“These opportunities are often the result of a local manufacturing employer sending their employees to local eyecare professionals, and additional foot traffic is often the one thing most desired by a business owner,” Scott said.