Your Vision in the Workplace

Prevent Blindness America (PBA) has set aside the month of March as Workplace Vision Wellness Month. The aim of this initiative is to teach businesses and their employees about the necessity of eye wellness, with advice on how to prevent vision-impairing eye incidents.

Each day, employees suffer from job related eye injuries that need medical attention. Workplace safety experts and healthcare professionals believe the two most prevalent reasons that people experience eye injuries is because they fail to shield their eyes or they are using the incorrect type of eye protection.

Common Kinds of Eye Injuries The most frequent dangers in the work environment include small particles or falling objects such as concrete, wood, metal or dust that can penetrate or cut the eye. Chemicals, gases and radiation can also burn and damage the sensitive eye tissues.

Making Work a Safe Site

• Learn the eye hazards found at your work.
• Limit your exposure to risks before even beginning work by asking for machine shields, screens or other engineering controls.
• Request safety goggles that are fitted correctly and provide enough coverage for your tasks. Your eye doctor will be able to assist in selecting the best safety eyewear for your circumstances.
• Keep your safety eyewear in optimal condition, and replace when even just slightly damaged.

Computer Monitors and Healthy Vision

Those who spend a large portion of their day working on computers or using mobile devices are also at higher risk of vision problems. Due to the prevailing use of computers in our lives, these dangers are becoming increasingly prevalent.

Here are a few suggestions to prevent eye strain and visual discomfort when using hand held devices or working on a computer:

Try to maintain the 20-20-20 rule which will allow your eyes periodic rest. At every 20 minute interval take a 20 second break to watch something 20 feet away. If you're using a mobile device, enlarge the text so you'll be able to use it at a distance more comfortable for your eyes.

Also keep the light intensity of your screen to a resolution that is not too bright or too dim and place your screen just below eye level to be less of a strain on your eyes. You should also speak to your eye doctor about computer glasses.

If you think that you may be at risk of any eye or vision damage due to your workplace don't delay! Give us a call to discuss the hazards and solutions for a lifetime of eye and vision health!