Whenever as the result of an accident for which compensation is payable to any employee of any employer under article 2 of chapter 15 of Title 34 of the Revised Statutes, to which this act is a supplement, such employee sustains damage to, or destruction of, a prosthetic device, hearing aid, artificial member, dental appliance or eyeglasses, it shall be the obligation of the employer to repair or replace the same or to make payment of the cost or value thereof, upon claim made therefor, which obligation shall be in addition to the obligation for the payment of the compensation payable to said employee for injuries sustained as a result of such accident.
N.J.S. § 34:15-12.7