It is Aura Lens at http://www.auralens.com They also are very
knowledgeable about torch work so if you have a question contact
them.
I have to add my endorsement along with Jim’s on the Aura Lens. We
had this discussion in Orchid several years ago, and I decided to
check it out. I talked with a very knowledgeable fellow about the
effects of soldering on the eyes. He said, besides the UV there are
concerns with the sodium flare. Be that as it may be, I’m like the
state of Missouri, “Show Me.” He offered to send a headband lenses (I
wear bifocals) that was a ‘loaner’ for me to try for a month. After
all, they were pricey, about $165 U.S. at that time, and I’m very
cynical of marketing claims.
At the end of a month, I couldn’t bear to part with the ‘loaner’
even for a few weeks to get the ‘loaner’ shipped back and a new
headband to be shipped. The thing that really convinced me was that
after hours and hours of soldering; my eyes didn’t hurt and no
headache. I had previously chalked it up to eyestrain, since I was
previously using grade #5 lenses, as recommended by the torch
manufacturer (Li’l Torch by Smith).
I heartily endorse the Aura Lens, usual disclaimer.
but I have never heard of infrared causing eye damage. Eye damage
from UV is well documented, AFAIK.
Current belief, at least as I’ve been told by my opthalmologist, is
that excess infra-red exposure can contribute to formation of
cataracts. But he also said that at the levels experienced by
jewelers, this is not likely a risk, given the large amounts of
natural exposure just from the sun, and the rest of our environment.
He says the effect IS noticed in people who spend a lot of time
looking directly are really intense sources of infrared, such as
steel workers, and perhaps, glass blowers, and the like. these
people can spend 8 hours a day looking into intense infra-red…
He suggested that though i need eye protection when light sources are
intense, like with platinum, in general, I can use my comfort levels
as a guide to whether I need eye protection, rather than worrying
about what i can’t see or feel. He noted that the situation is very
different for people working with obvious U.V. source, such as
electric arc welding. Gas welding torches (and even melting
platinum) results in much lower levels of U.V., and is less of a
risk, though protection is obviously still needed, just from the
glare, and ordinary silver or gold soldering operations are cool
enough that U.V. is not generally present, even with oxy-acetylene
torches, at least not in levels requiring any concern, though he
suggested that eye protection in such operations is still needed to
provide simple physical protection from flying bits of this and that,
and he did like the idea of the AUR-92 glasses to kill the sodium
flare, not for eye safety, but just from an efficiency of work
standpoint. I mention, too, that this isn’t the opinion of some
eyeglass prescriber. It’s from one of the senior opthalmology staff
at the local hospital I go to for diabetic eye care. the guy is a
retina specialist…
Ferromagnetics is the key to the danger. I have witnessed an iron O2
cylinder (left under a cart) lift off from 4 to 5 feet from the
tunnel entrance and go through the toroidal magnet. It walloped the
coolant housing and I thought for a moment the room would flood with
oxygen displacing gas … it did not, we were lucky. Patient was not
in the tunnel, thank you for wondering. The cylinder could not be
removed by 2, 250 lb men, with a rope on it. The magnet had to be
quenched by the manufacturer and reconstituted. $$$. the normal and
only approved cylinder is aluminum for that application. When I roped
off the cylinder I did notice my gut flopping about as I had some old
(30 year) ferromagnetic hemoclips in the renal area where some
surgery had been done. VERY odd sensation. They use titanium these
days.
hello all, Very sorry about the ‘mothball’ episode. They u s e d to
be camphor crystals…when I was a kid. Guess my age is showing! I
contacted the Aura Lens people, and they make a protective lens for
soldering that clips on to an Optivisor. A little pricey, but worth
it if you want to protect your eyes. I checked out their website and
was a little confused as to which type of lens I needed, but shot
off an inquiry and it was answered within minutes. Thanks to everyone
for all the tips, tricks, and trivia. It is much appreciated and
enjoyed.