How to Protect Your Eyes at Work

It’s no secret that good vision is crucial for most workers across the board as it influences factors like productivity, safety, and overall efficiency. Consequently, incurring any eye injuries at work has been found to cost about $300 million every year in worker compensation, production dips, and healthcare treatments. Unfortunately, recent surveys reveal that nearly 20,000 workers experience eye-related issues annually. This typically results in missing at least one day of work, which the AAO says can be caused by problems ranging from eye strain to severe ocular trauma.

Fortunately, there are many straightforward ways to prevent these eye issues from occurring or worsening. Although these cannot reverse any existing concerns, and it’s still always best to consult with a doctor, here are some effective eye health tips that workers should observe:

Wear protective eyewear

According to health experts, up to 90% of eye injuries at work can be prevented with the right eyewear. This is especially true in fields like construction or manufacturing, where debris and heavy machinery abound. As such, don’t scrimp on wearing eyewear specifically made for the job. For higher-risk jobs, such as those mentioned above, invest in safety glasses. Made with the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) requirements and Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) safety standards in mind, this eyewear is designed to be more durable and protective than your average specs. For those with existing refractive errors, prescription safety glasses are a smart option as they can be made with various corrective lenses, including progressives. As seen in brands like Wiley, safety glasses can also be made with specialized tints to enhance visual acuity and coatings to prevent pesky lens fogging. Depending on your workplace, your employer can cover the cost of this specialized eyewear, or you can use some of your health insurance to offset expenses.

Keep your eyes clean

On average, experts have found that people touch their faces around 23 times an hour. This includes actions like rubbing your eyes, during which countless bacteria and germs can enter. While the eyes are self-cleaning, they are still delicate organs that can easily become infected, especially when in a busy or highly-populated place like an office or job site. In worst-case scenarios, many people have even lost their vision from an infection that stemmed from transmitted bacteria. To prevent this, apart from limiting how often you touch your eyes, wash your hands regularly. If soap and water are unavailable, use sanitizer instead. Regular disinfection is also critical when you wear things like contact lenses. Since the lens creates a seal directly on the eye, dirty contacts can cause conditions like blepharitis and conjunctivitis. If you do use contacts, make sure to clean them with a dedicated solution, such as those by FDA-regulated manufacturers Bosch + Lomb, before and after use. Alternatively, if you wear glasses, make sure to clean them with a microfiber cloth and lens cleaner to remove any irritants from the frame and lenses.

Take regular eye breaks

Last but not least, the eyes, like the rest of the body, need rest and recovery. Since the eyes are in use the whole day, they are very prone to straining and exhaustion. Over time, this can cause issues like blurred vision or even retinal damage. That said, take the time to rest your eyes every so often. Eye exercises, like the 20-20-20 rule, can help. In this exercise, every 20 minutes, you’re encouraged to look at an object 20 feet away for 20 seconds. This allows your eyes to “stretch” and release tension that may be caused by overly focusing on something like a screen or anything else you’re working on. Over time, this can help your eyes relax and reduce symptoms of dry eyes or redness, thereby also making your workday more comfortable.

This article does not necessarily reflect the opinions of the editors or management of EconoTimes.