Prevent Blindness, has declared the month of March to be Workplace Eye Wellness Month. Our eyes are so fragile and important, and the workplace can have many hazards that can be potentially harmful to our eyes each day.
What are some physical hazards in a non-office setting?
In industrial settings such as construction sites or factories, the physical issues our eyes can face are:
- Flying debris
- Hazardous Liquids
- Chemicals
- Dust particles or other hazardous material particles
- Eyestrain and fatigue from the harshness of bright overhead LED lighting
In these settings, protective eyewear is always recommended to help protect your eyes from these potential hazards.
What are some physical hazards in an office setting?
Offices can be just as harmful to our eyes. While those who do computer work may not be in much danger of flying debris or dangerous liquids, desk work can be just as physically harmful with issues such as:
- Digital eye strain from staring at a computer
- Neck and back issues from long days in a chair
The symptoms of digital eye strain include blurred vision, headaches, fatigue and itchy or watery eyes that can also lead to potentially harmful issues later in life.
What are some good tips to help workplace eye wellness?
Some good practices that can help prevent these potentially harmful effects of the workplace on our eyes are:
- Position your computer screen at least 20 inches away from your eyes when working
- Use a document holder to alleviate neck or back strain caused by constantly looking up and down when documents are flat on the desk
- Get up and walk around every half hour, even if it’s just for a minute – limit long periods of sitting
- Get an adjustable chair to maximize ergonomics
- Invest in BluTech Lenses, in your next pair of eyewear. BluTech filters the blue light being emitted from screens and LED lighting, where it matters most – at 455nm — and helps minimize the symptoms of digital eye strain.
