Workplace Eye Wellness Month
Learn to Protect your Eyes in the Workplace with these Workplace Eye Wellness Tips
March is Workplace Eye Wellness Month. So, the Visionworks team is taking this time to provide the tips you need to keep your eyes healthy and happy on the job. We’re on a mission to simplify eye health so you can focus on what you do best — whether that’s analyzing spreadsheets, drafting designs, serving customers or even manufacturing glasses! Let’s take a look at what Workplace Eye Wellness Month is, why it’s important and how you can better protect your eyes at work. Our eyes have been working overtime for us—and it’s time we treated them to some well-deserved care!
What is Workplace Eye Wellness Month?
Prevent Blindness, a volunteer eye health and safety organization whose mission is to preserve sight in the United States, declared March Workplace Eye Wellness Month to raise awareness about the effects of working conditions on the eyes. Our eyes are working hard, so we need to protect them on the job.
According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), over 2,000 workers sustain acute eye injuries on the job every day in the United States, resulting in emergency trips to the eye doctor and missed days of work. Thousands more experience digital eye strain symptoms due to extensive screen time, especially with the rise of remote work and videoconferencing.
Every March, Prevent Blindness launches their Screen Time-Out Awareness campaign, urging people to break from their screens and take measures to reduce the effects of digital eye strain. The organization also partners with Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) to remind workers to practice eye safety for the workplace, including using goggles or other protective eyewear.
Visionworks recognizes the importance of Workplace Eye Wellness Month and is here to provide the information you need to keep your eyes protected and healthy on the job.
Why is workplace eye wellness so important?
It is important to protect our eyes at work because many of us spend eight hours or more every day on the job. Jeff Todd, president of Prevent Blindness, explains that “healthy vision is crucial for productive work, independence and quality of life”. Work is a big part of our lives—and in order to ensure healthy vision long after we clock out, we must protect our eyes while on the job.
How does screen exposure affect your eyes?
Our electronic devices, including computers and smartphones, have screens that emit blue light. Blue light exposure may contribute to digital eye strain symptoms, including dry eyes, visual fatigue and headaches. Since over 80% of Americans work with screens every day, many experience eye discomfort after viewing screens for extended periods.
Contributing Factors of Digital Eye Strain
The following may contribute to eye discomfort and digital eye strain:
- Blue light
- Screen glare
- Poor office lighting
- Screen position
- Text size, color and font
- Bad desk posture
Digital Eye Strain Symptoms
Digital eye strain symptoms may include:
- Headaches
- Burning eyes
- Sore eyes
- Blurred vision
- Dry eyes
- Tired eyes
If you are concerned you may be experiencing digital eye strain, try taking regular screen breaks, adjusting your work setup and investing in blue light glasses. If you experience any discomfort or changes in vision, schedule an eye exam at a Visionworks location near you.
3 Tips to Protect your Eyes from Screens at Work
If you spend a lot of your workday on screens and other devices, try these three tips to help protect your eyes.
1. Take regular breaks
Follow the 20/20/20 rule when working on your computer, tablet or smartphone. Every 20 minutes, take a 20-second break and look at something 20 feet in the distance. Giving your eyes periodic breaks from your task helps prevent eye fatigue, dry eye and headaches on the job. Protip: To get in the habit of taking periodic breaks, set an alarm on your phone—it’s well worth the effort.
2. Wear Blue Light Filtering Glasses
Even though the workday is only eight hours long, the average American spends up to 12 hours a day in front of a screen. It can feel impossible to reduce our screen time in the modern world. If you’re glued to your screen, consider how blue light glasses can help combat digital eye strain. Blue light glasses work to protect your eyes by filtering blue light waves. Visionworks Smart Screen lenses filter 3x more blue light than traditional lenses, reducing exposure by up to 45%. Wearing a pair of blue light glasses is a simple way to defend your eyes against blue light exposure.
3. Distance yourself from Screens
If you have to use a screen for work, make sure you view it from the proper distance. For example, keep your computer screen slightly below your line of sight and maintain a distance of 20–26 inches between your eyes and the screen. Also, try distancing yourself even further from screens on your lunch break by leaving your phone at your desk. Your eyes will appreciate the break—and you’ll enjoy the peace and quiet!
4 Other Ways to Protect your Eyes at Work
Not everyone works in front of a screen, but that doesn’t mean your eyes don’t need protection. Here are four tips everyone can use to improve workplace eye health.
1. Schedule an Annual Eye Exam
The best way to ensure good eye health and clear vision is to schedule yearly eye exams. At Visionworks, we make it easy to schedule an eye exam online. During your annual checkup, your eye doctor looks for any changes in your vision and overall health and educates you on how to take great care of your eyes.
2. Update Your Glasses or Contacts Prescription
Protect yourself and your eyes on the job by updating your glasses or contacts prescription. Blurry vision can lead to increased eye strain or even accidents on the job. At Visionworks, we offer a wide selection of glasses and contacts from all your favorite brands.
3. Invest in Custom Safety Glasses
Many careers require that you wear safety glasses on the job. Construction contractors, medical lab assistants and factory workers and others can benefit from custom safety glasses. Custom safety glasses are more comfortable than traditional goggles and can be made with your prescription for your specific job site needs. Get fitted for custom glasses at a Visionworks store near you.
4. Eat an Eye-healthy Lunch
A fatty lunch at the drive-through is not only bad for your heart, gut and work performance, it’s also bad for your eyes! Familiarize yourself with the best foods for eye health and pack a healthy lunch to keep your eyes healthy and your body energized. Remember, foods that are good for your heart are also good for your eyes!
Have more questions about maintaining healthy eye practices on the job during Workplace Eye Wellness Month? Make an appointment with a Visionworks eye doctor or visit a store near you today.
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Information received through Visionworks® content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice, medical recommendations, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your eye doctor, physician, or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.
Claims regarding blue light efficiency are supported by manufacturer-provided test results.
