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Posted by: Mitchell Refractive Surgery & Eye Center

According to the Centers For Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), over 2,000 eye injuries occur each day on the job. Most would think that eye injuries only happen in construction or manufacturing jobs. However, nearly 40% of work-related eye injuries happen in offices, healthcare facilities, construction, or laboratory work environments. It is essential that proper eye protection is beneficial in preventing 90% of work-related eye injuries. Nearly 25,000 Americans visit the emergency room each year due to a workplace eye injury.

During Workplace Eye Wellness Month this March, we would like to share a few tips to help protect your eyes from injury:

• Keep safety eyewear in good condition and replace it when necessary.

• Always wear safety goggles or face shields when working with chemicals to protect against splashing.
• Keep your eye protection clean.
• Implement controls on machinery and equipment to prevent the escape of particles and debris.
• Ensure all eye and face protection meet OSHA standards, as well as all applicable local and state regulations.
• Don’t forget putting on a pair of safety glasses can help prevent serious eye injuries in the workplace.

For Workplace Eye Safety Awareness Month, we also wanted to share safety eye tips for office employees. The workplace environment has significantly changed within the past couple of years, with most employees working remotely, increasing more screen time for projects, including meetings attended via Zoom. The increased screen time affects remote employees and the entire family, from the kids virtually learning to online entertainment.

Here are a few tips from the American Academy of Ophthalmology to create a healthy and comfortable work environment to avoid digital eye strain.

• Make a conscious effort to blink as often as possible.
• Consider computer eyeglasses
• Use eye drops to refresh your eyes
• Adjust screen brightness to match the light levels around you
• Sit about 25 inches from your screen.

Screen Time and Your Eye Health

According to the American Academy of Ophthalmology, studies show that people developing nearsightedness have dramatically increased. Dry eye symptoms in digital device users are becoming more common, and computer use combined with smartphones and tablets’ personal use increases the risk of digital eye strain.

Reduce eye strain by focusing on your eye health and give your eyes a break by adopting the 20-20-20 rule in your day-to-day office or remote learning routine, which is:

Every 20 minutes. Take 20 seconds. To look 20 feet away.

Keep in mind during March, and year-round, remember to wear your safety glasses and protect your eyes from digital eye strain as you work. If you have any concerns about your eye health or experience any changes with your eyesight, don’t delay making an eye exam appointment.

Our Highest Priority Is Your Lifelong Eye Health!

References: Prevent Blindness, American Academy of Ophthalmology, and Centers For Disease Control and Prevention

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