By Scott Prickett, O.D.
Each day, roughly 2,000 workers will sustain job-related eye injuries that require medical attention. These injuries vary from simple eye strain from staring at a computer for too long, to trauma that may lead to permanent damage, vision loss and even blindness.
Workplace Eye Wellness Month in March highlights actions you can take to protect your eyes and avoid injury.
Quick Facts
• Each year, nearly 25,000 Americans visit the emergency room due to a workplace eye injury.
• 90% of eye injuries could have been avoided by wearing eye protection.
• Approximately 40 percent of eye injuries in the workplace happen in three industries: construction, manufacturing and mining.
• Flying or falling objects, tools, chemicals and particles and sparks are just some of eye injuries that could happen on the job.
• Workplace eye injuries cause $300 million in treatment, worker’s comp and loss of productivity each year.
Eye Protection
There are many hazards that can be found in the workplace – falling objects, flying debris, chemicals, intense light, and heat. Wearing eye protection is the first step in safeguarding yourself from these hazards. It is essential to make sure the eye protection is appropriate for the type of hazards you are protecting against. Eyewear must be American National Standards Institute ANSI-approved and OSHA compliant. You must use special-purpose safety glasses, goggles, face shield or helmet if you are near hazardous radiation welding, chemicals, lasers or fiber optics.
Digital Eye Strain
Working from home is the new norm, and while an office environment may seem safe, digital eye strain is a real workplace problem. Staring at your computer screen, phone, tablet or e-reader for an extended amount of time means you blink less often, which is necessary to keep the surface of the eye moisturized. Your eyes work harder resulting in eye strain, headaches, blurriness, burning, itching and dry eyes as just some of the symptoms you could experience. But computer and phone screens aren’t the only culprits. Reading, writing or other near work over an extended amount of time can create the same effects. While the American Ophthalmological Institute has determined these will not cause permanent eye damage, they are still uncomfortable and can inhibit your ability to work. The good news is there are ways to create a home work space that helps avoid these problems. The American Academy of Ophthalmology has these suggestions:
• Sit an arm’s length – about 18 to 25 inches – away from your computer screen.
• Follow the 20-20-20 rule. Every 20 minutes, look 20 feet away for 20 seconds. Set a timer on your phone or watch as a reminder. If you are in the middle of a video call, you can achieve this by shutting your eyes for 20 seconds.
• Remember to blink. On average, a person blinks about 15 times per minute. That is cut in half when staring at a computer or phone screen.
• If your computer screen is brighter than your surroundings, your eyes will be working harder to see. Adjusting the room lighting and the contrast on your computer to a comfortable level helps alleviate this problem.
• Your computer screen should be positioned so that your eyes are directed slightly downward instead of straight ahead or up.
• When your eyes start to feel dry, use artificial tears to refresh them.
• Consider a humidifier which adds moisture to the air while minimizing dry eye.
• Progressive lens computer glasses are specifically designed for focusing on computer screens.
• Glass screens on phones offer exceptional picture quality but can also produce a strong glare, aggravating your eyes. To help you can adjust the low light filter setting or use a matte finish to help reduce the glare and help with eye strain.
• The American Academy of Ophthalmology does not recommend blue light-blocking glasses as there is no scientific evidence that blue light coming from a computer screen causes digital eye strain or damage to the eyes.
Taking care to protect your eyes at work is essential to maintaining eye health. If problems persist even after you have followed these suggestions, visit Quigley Eye Specialists for further help in diagnosing your eye condition.
About Quigley Eye Specialists
Dr. Prickett is a Board-Certified Optometrist with Quigley Eye Specialists, a world-class eye care practice specializing in cataracts, laser cataract surgery, glaucoma, iLASIK, dry eye, eyelid surgery, retinal issues, corneal conditions, facial plastic surgery and routine eye care. Dr. Prickett specializes in full-scope optometry including preoperative and post-operative surgical care, primary care, ocular disease treatment and management. Quigley Eye Specialists has served the region for more than 30 years with locations throughout Florida including Sarasota, Venice, Nort Port, Port Charlotte, Punta Gorda, Cape Coral, Fort Myers, Lehigh Acres, Bonita Springs, Naples and Coral Gables.
* Information from the American Academy of Ophthalmology®