Whether you prefer incandescent or LED infrared bulbs, we recommend wearing infrared filtering eyewear while using the bulbs. Here are the questions customers ask us most about the glasses and the recommendation.
Why Do I Need Protective Eyewear While Using Infrared Products?
TheraBulb recommends eye protection for two reasons:
First of all, the incandescent bulbs we sell, like our 150W and 250W bulbs, are ridiculously bright. You're going to want something to dampen the brightness for your own comfort.
The second reason for the recommendation is that there are studies that link exposure to infrared energy with the development of cataracts. The studies were conducted on glassblowers, who are exposed to much more intense energy and for longer periods than someone using a bulb or panel a few hours per week. But determining the safe-without-eyewear threshold and translating it into usage limits or similar guidance is not something a lighting manufacturer is qualified to do. We, therefore, recommend IR filtering eyewear out of an abundance of caution.
If you want advice specific to your intended use of red light and infrared, consult with a medical professional.
Why Can't I Wear Sunglasses?
In short, sunglasses are made for sunlight. This means they filter ultraviolet light, which has wavelengths from 280nm to 400nm. The red light band begins at 650nm, and infrared begins at 700nm. The wavelengths you're exposed to when using red light and near infrared (NIR) are outside of the range that sunglasses filter.
In contrast, our infrared filtering eyewear is rated to block 99% of infrared wavelengths from 780 to 2000 nm and 98% of red light (650nm-699nm).
Additionally, infrared filtering eyewear blocks red and infrared but lets other light through so that you can read, knit, or do other tasks while using the bulbs.
How Do I Know These Glasses Work?
Our eyewear meets two standards: the main US standard for protective eyewear and the US military's standard for combat eyewear. Plus, there's a simple test that you can do to verify that they work.
ANSI/ISEA Z87.1+ Compliant
ANSI/ISEA Z87.1 is the American National Standard for eye and face protection. It's the standard behind the protective eyewear required on job sites and in labs. It sets requirements for optical quality and lens marking. For filter lenses, it also sets how much light can get through at each shade level.
Z87.1 is a self-certifying standard. The manufacturer runs the tests (or has them run), keeps the test data, and declares that the product complies. That's one reason the second standard matters.
MIL-PRF-32432 Approved
MIL-PRF-32432 is the US military's performance specification for combat eye protection. It includes requirements for optical clarity and requires that manufacturers demonstrate that the eyewear provides the performance it claims to.
Military approval takes more than passing a lab test. Manufacturers submit samples and complete test data from approved laboratories for Army review and testing. Once approved, they have to keep retesting, pass annual quality audits, and document every change to the design or how the glasses are made.
Test Them Yourself
You can't see near infrared light, so nobody can check infrared blocking by eye. But you can see red, which sits right next to it on the spectrum. That makes it a good real-world check.
Turn on a red or near infrared bulb and glance at it without the glasses. You'll see an intense red-orange glow. Now put the glasses on and look again. The red glow should nearly disappear. The bulb will look dim and muted, and you should be able to look toward it comfortably. The rest of the room will look tinted, but you'll still see well enough to read or knit.
If the bulb still looks bright red through the lenses, the glasses aren't doing their job.
Will These Block Blue Light?
These glasses are designed and rated for red and infrared light. They block 98% of red light and 99% of infrared. Blue light falls at the other end of the visible spectrum, between about 400 and 500nm. If blue light is your concern, look for glasses that are designed and rated for it.
Shop Infrared Filtering Eyewear
Our infrared filtering eyewear is included in our Infrared Starter Kits, in the 500W Freestanding Lamp Kickstart Kit, and the 300W Clamp Lamp Kickstart Kit. Each kit brings together components that are matched to work with each other. One package. One solution. 10% savings over buying each item separately. Already have your bulbs? You can also buy the eyewear by itself.
Important Note
TheraBulb's products have not been tested with regard to their ability to diagnose, treat, or cure any disease or medical condition or confer any medical or health benefit. They are not intended for such purposes unless directed by a medical professional. Anyone who intends to use our products for any sort of therapeutic purpose is advised to consult with a medical professional beforehand.