Kentek adds Fosta Fog-Free coating to its laser safety eyewear

Kentek Corporation announces plans to incorporate Fosta-Tek's new Fosta Fog-Free coating into its laser safety eyewear line. The addition of the coating is expected to reduce the potential for eye injury by increasing the user's ability to wear laser safety eyewear for longer periods of time. The new coating will also increase product life by reducing the tendency of polycarbonate lenses to scratch.

Laser work creates intense concentrations of heat as well as ultraviolet, infrared and reflected light radiation. Unprotected eye exposure to lasers may result in retinal burns, cataracts, and even blindness. As a result, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration requires companies with lasers to furnish workers exposed to laser beams with suitable laser eye protection.

"Failure to wear protective eyewear is a leading cause of eye injury from exposure to laser radiation," says Kentek President, Tom MacMullin. A leading full-service laser company since 1983, Kentek offers a wide range of laser safety products, laser components, laser services and accessories. Its laser protective eyewear includes filter glass, polycarbonate, and prescription eyewear in many different frame styles and configurations. The new anti-fog coating feature will be available on plano polycarbonate eyewear. About half of all laser eyewear worldwide is manufactured from this engineering polymer.

"Laser safety eyewear tends to be closer fitting than other types of safety eyewear in order to minimize exposure to peripheral laser radiation," MacMullin says. "This reduces air flow around the lenses and increases the tendency to fog. Too often, laser operators remove their eyewear and expose themselves to potential injury. Our approach is to enhance the ability to wear laser safety eyewear for longer periods of time by offering more comfortable styles and reducing this propensity for fog."

"This will increase the longevity and value of our products," says MacMullin, "which we see as another benefit to our customers." MacMullin says he expects the Fosta Fog-Free coating to be added to the Kentek line beginning with, "our newer, more closely fitting designs."

Fosta Fog-Free coating helps ensure that laser operators keep safety eyewear on during operation.