Health Fund Extras Cover, which includes optical benefits, is allocated over 12 months and usually won’t roll over into the new year. So that means you need to use your optical extras before they disappear on January 1.

Most major Australian health funds, including nib, Bupa, and Australian Unity, reset their limits on January 1st, making December 31st the cutoff date to use your benefits before you lose them.

Using your optical extras can substantially reduce your out-of-pocket costs associated with purchasing certified prescription eyewear or prescription sunnies.

So check the balance of your optical extras today and make an appointment to come in and use your benefits before December 31. And remember we get really busy between now and January 1, so the earlier you book in, the more likely you are to use up your optical extras before you lose them.

Standard prescription glasses, while necessary for clear vision, are not designed to withstand impact and are unsuitable substitutes for certified safety eyewear. They lack the necessary robustness to deflect flying objects and debris, which can expose you to a debilitating eye emergency.

If you need prescription glasses, and are often in a hazardous environment, prescription safety glasses are a safe, comfortable, solution.

And it’s not just tradies that need safety glasses – trauma to the eye is the leading global cause of blindness, and in Australia, an estimated 116,000 individuals seek medical treatment for eye injuries every year.

Eye injuries are a frequent occurrence for older adults at home and children during sport or at home.

Safety glasses can be an effective and easy solution for:

• Home and DIY activities such as gardening, woodworking and home maintenance.

These put you at risk from high-velocity debris, dust, and shrapnel. Your uncertified standard glasses don’t really offer you much protection in these types of activities.

• High-Impact Sports carry a high risk of eye trauma due to impact from balls, equipment, or other participants.

Those sports include cricket, baseball, hockey, squash, and mountain biking. Polycarbonate lenses, which form the basis of certified safety eyewear, are specifically recommended for their impact resistance in rough sports.

Prescription safeties also eliminate the discomfort and reduced peripheral vision associated with wearing safety goggles over standard glasses.

SafeStyle prescription eyewear provides certified protection required for hazardous environments (AS/NZS 1337.6+). This certification guarantees your glasses meet minimum performance criteria essential for protecting vision:

1. Impact Resistance: Both frames and lenses are mandated to withstand impacts from a 6mm steel ball travelling at a velocity of 45 metres per second.

2. Optical Quality: The lenses must exhibit a high level of clarity and minimal distortion, ensuring clear vision is maintained without inducing strain.

3. Mechanical Strength: The eyewear must demonstrate the ability to withstand stress and impact without fracturing or breaking.

4. Fit and Coverage: The frames and lenses must be appropriately designed to fit the user comfortably while providing comprehensive coverage around the eyes.

Plus the lenses are certified UV400, offering 99.95% protection against ultraviolet radiation, great for those who work outdoors, or want to use them for outdoor sport or activities like fishing, waterskiing or boating.

We can help you claim with all Australian Health Funds, which means you can claim your purchase using your optical extras benefit when you collect your glasses.

Plus your purchase of SafeStyle prescription safety eyewear could also provide you with a tax deduction if you use the glasses for the work.

So make your appointment now and check out the fantastic, flexible and stylish range of SafeStyle Glasses.