Computer glasses and safety glasses

With reference to Section 14-4 (arbeidstilsynet.no of the Regulations on Organisation, Management and Participation, in Norwegian only), the University wishes to facilitate the work of employees who regularly work at computer screens. A part of this facilitation is to acquire glasses for work at a computer screen to reduce and avoid strain.

According to the working environment legislation, the employer must also make appropriate personal protective equipment available to the employee. The employer must therefore offer safety glasses with vision correction when ordinary safety glasses cannot be combined with their own correction glasses in, for example, laboratory or workshop work.

OsloMet has a framework agreement with Synsam for the provision of eye examinations, computer glasses and safety glasses with vision correction.  Employees who are going to procure computer glasses and/or safety glasses with vision correction must use the framework agreement with Synsam to receive a refund. The agreement does not include eyewear subscriptions.

The agreement applies to all Synsam stores in Norway. In OsloMet's immediate area, they have several stores in Oslo, a store at Skedsmokorset and a store in Lillestrøm.

You can book an appointment for an eye examination yourself at Synsam (PDF in Norwegian only), but this can also be done by contacting the store directly.

Computer glasses

Different terms are used for this type of glasses - computer glasses, work glasses, terminal glasses. The guidelines and the framework agreement deal with glasses for use during work in front of a screen, and it is the optician who makes the professional assessment of whether an employee has a need for computer glasses that triggers a right to reimbursement of costs. The guidelines use the term computer glasses.

Employees who work in front of a computer screen must be reimbursed for expenses for eye examinations, and if the optometrist demonstrates that there is a need for their own glasses for this purpose, they must be reimbursed for their expenses within the framework described below.

Safety goggles with vision correction

Information about safety glasses with vision correction.

Remember that it is the manager who, together with the employee, must assess the need for safety glasses with vision correction based on a risk assessment of the work and the duration of the work. The form safety glasses with vision correction (.docx) must be completed and signed by the manager. Take the form to the optician who will confirm the need.

Warranties

Synsam offers a two-year product warranty, readjustment (spectacle service) for the lifetime of the spectacles, a 100-day right of exchange and a three-month habituation guarantee.

Sustainability

Sustainability is a key focus area for Synsam, and several initiatives are underway to integrate sustainability into all parts of Synsam's business. Read more about Synsam's sustainability initiative (synsam.no, in Norwegian only). 

•  
• Eye examination
• Glass
• Frames

You can have glasses covered for computer glasses on the recommendation of your optician, these lenses have scratch protection and anti-reflective coating. The lenses are usually either single vision lenses, shade progressive lenses or room progressive lenses (often used when working at counters). The optician assesses the need.

Work glasses covered by OsloMet:

Single-strength data glass

Single-vision computer lenses are specially designed to provide optimal visual comfort when working in front of the computer. These lenses have a simple grind, which means that they are corrected for a specific viewing distance; most often the distance typical for looking at a computer screen.

Screen progressive lenses

Near progressive computer lenses are a specialized type of glass that combines the functions of progressive lenses with designs adapted for working in front of the computer. They are designed to provide a smooth transition between different viewing distances, which is especially important for people who need to see clearly both up close (such as when reading) and at a slightly longer distance (working on a computer screen).

Room progressive lenses

Room progressive computer lenses are a type of lens that is designed to offer a smooth transition between different viewing distances, making them particularly suitable for indoor use, such as when working at the computer or in office environments. These glasses are a variant of progressive lenses, but they are adapted to focus on specific distances that are common in a room. They are good at close range, computer and up to four meters (room).

Refunds

• For computer glasses, you can choose a frame for up to NOK 1150,-.
• For safety glasses with vision correction, frames are refunded up to NOK 1200,-

NB-1! Be aware that if you choose to upgrade your glasses with a more expensive lens and/or a different surface treatment than what is in the agreement, you will have to pay for the difference yourself.
Your deductible for glass upgrades, which you will not be refunded, will then be visible on the receipt.

NB-2! If you choose to buy a frame that is more expensive than the agreement frames covered by OsloMet, you will not be refunded for the excess. Please note that NOK 1150 is the retail price in the store, not the refund amount. The refund amount when choosing a more expensive frame is NOK 685,-.
Your deductible for the frames, which you will not be refunded, will then be visible on the receipt.

If you cannot use ordinary computer glasses, but need other special vision correction aids that are suitable for your work, OsloMet will cover this. In such cases, there must always be a written confirmation from the optician of the need.

The starting point is that the glasses should be adapted so that they meet your need for glasses throughout the day, not that you should have several different computer glasses. Standard progressive glasses that are suitable for daily use are not considered computer glasses, and OsloMet does not cover expenses for glasses that are used in daily life/outside of work.

Safety goggles with vision correction

Description of safety glasses with vision correction - follow the link.

Reading glasses

Reading glasses are glasses adapted for a distance of 40 cm. These should only be used for, for example, reading documents, books or telephones. NOTE – should not be used on the computer, as you need to sit closer to the screen to see better with this type of glasses, which can lead to neck pain. Reading glasses are considered private glasses and are not covered by OsloMet.

Other glasses

Such as fully progressive glasses or single-vision glasses at a distance are not covered by OsloMet. These are private glasses and are paid in full by the employee himself.

Glasses subscription

The agreement does not include eyewear subscriptions.

1. 1. You must pay for the eye examination and the glasses directly to Synsam.
   2. You must receive a confirmation from your optician that computer glasses/safety glasses with vision correction are necessary for your work, and a receipt for your expenses.
   3. To receive reimbursement, the expense must be registered in the SAP portal, and you must upload a photo of the original receipts and confirmation(s) from the optician.
      • For computer glasses, you can choose a frame for up to NOK 1150, NB: 1150 is the price in store, not the refund amount. Refund amount when choosing a more expensive frame is NOK 685,-
      • For safety glasses with vision correction, frames are refunded up to NOK 1200,-

Your deductible for lens and/or frame upgrades, which you will not be refunded, will be visible on your receipt.

• You must have a real need for computer glasses/safety glasses with vision correction. If you already have glasses that meet your needs, you will not be entitled to computer glasses. It will be the optician at Synsam who makes this assessment.
• Booking routine (.docx, in Norwegian only) - eye examination.
• You pay the bill for the examination and the glasses yourself.
• Reimbursement of expenses is registered in the SAP portal.
• Select the expense type "Screen/computer glasses" in the SAP portal or DFØ app when you register expenses for computer glasses.
• Select the expense type "Protective equipment and workwear" in the SAP portal or DFØ app when you register expenses for safety glasses with vision correction.
• The amount you can get covered is the total amount minus the deductible. The deductible is stated on the receipt from Synsam (deductible plus menu).
• You must scan the original receipts, as well as the optician's confirmation and any additional assessments, and save this on your computer before you start registering the reimbursement in the SAP portal.
• See the Expense Reimbursement Guide (dfo.no, in Norwegian only).