Mpfffff.... very late on this.

Back in the day, I did a lot of 50' target shooting and was captain of my school's rifle team - state champs several years running. BUT, that meant a goodly number of hours on the range, and at least several hundred rounds of .22 match per week. Yes, we used very good traps, and excellent range-safety procedures. BUT, every so often there would be splatter. I have always worn corrective lenses, and never worn contacts, so the splatter would bounce off my glasses with no harm done. Were the vain type, I am sure I would have experienced some pain, if not actual damage. NOTE: the others on the team, as it happens, also wore corrective lenses, our best shot wore what then were considered to be "Coke Bottle" lenses. We also used iron sights, not scopes.

Then, my first job out of college was as a machinist. Same issue. Seldom did things go "POP" on the lathe, but the lessons when they did were clear and emphatic. Wear Protective Eye Gear.

Dabbling in vintage radios, power tools, activities of daily life, I cannot tell how many times my vision has been at least protected if not saved by my glasses. And I have learned to wear gloves and ear protection over the years as well - so I still have excellent hearing and all my digits even at my advanced age. Oh, and putting the spare tire or bad tire under the car when changing the a tire - so if the jack fails the car comes down on the tire and rim, not a hand, foot or worse.

Guys and gals, this is not a debate. This is a matter of life-safety. I would rather be overly cautious and look silly than be 'brave' and be damaged.

By the way, my lenses are progressive high-index, UV coated, scratch-resistant plastic. They last me, on average, about 2 years.

Peter Wieck
Melrose Park, PA