Let me tell you, I love welding. The smell of hot metal, the satisfying arc, and the creation of something new – it's all incredibly rewarding. But like many welders, I've also experienced the dreaded eye strain and discomfort that can follow a day in the shop. It's a common problem, and I've spent a lot of time trying to figure out how to minimize it. I want to share my experiences and what I've learned to help you protect your vision and enjoy welding without the pain.
When I first started welding, I wasn't always as careful as I should have been. I remember times when, despite wearing safety glasses, my eyes would feel gritty and irritated after a welding session. It felt like a sunburn, but inside my eyes. I started questioning if the protection I was using was adequate, or if I was just doing something wrong. This led me down a path of research and experimentation to find the best ways to protect my eyes.
Initially, I thought maybe the safety glasses I was using weren't providing enough protection from the indirect arc. I wondered if older equipment or techniques offered less protection. The discomfort was real, and I needed to find a solution. I tried different things, from resting my eyes more frequently to trying different shades of welding helmets.
One thing I quickly realized is that everyone's eyes are different. I found that using a shade 13 welding lens worked best for me. When I used anything lower, my eyes would feel funny. I suspect this is because my eyes are particularly sensitive to light. If you have blue eyes, you may also have a higher sensitivity to light and might need a darker shade. Finding the right shade level for your individual sensitivity is crucial.
I also started suspecting that some of my eye strain was simply due to the intensity of the work. I noticed that I would sometimes get so focused on the welding process that I’d unconsciously keep my eyes wide open and blink less frequently. This is similar to what happens when I'm gaming for long periods. The result is eyestrain and dry eyes. It’s important to be mindful of blinking and take breaks to rest your eyes.
Beyond the shade level of my welding helmet, I realized the importance of protecting my eyes from reflected UV radiation. I had instances where even with a helmet on, I'd still experience eye discomfort. I discovered that reflected UV radiation from my clothing could be a contributing factor. I started wearing darker colors and even considered using a curtain that hangs down from the front of my hood to my chest. This not only helped with the UV radiation but also drastically reduced the amount of smoke getting under the chin of my hood.
Another thing that helped me was finding the right kind of glasses for everyday use. Since I also need reading glasses, I decided to try the SHINU Progressive Multifocal reading glasses. I was intrigued by the idea of having glasses that could help me see both near and far. I found them on Mozaer Shop. They are called SHINU Progressive Multifocal reading glasses Men Multifocal presbyopic glasses near and far multifocal eyeglasses for men sh051 up 150 down 400-C1 anti radiation. These glasses have been a game changer for me, especially after long hours of welding. They help reduce eye strain and make it easier to focus.
Based on my experiences, here are some practical tips to help you protect your eyes while welding:
Let's break down the pros and cons of different protective measures: