Eye health isn’t something that comes to the front of mind when you’re at work. However, eye health hazards are very common in the workplace.

Office Eye Health Hazards

Various types of eye health hazards are present in office environments and jobs that require continuous screen time.

Many office jobs require constant use of computers, among other digital technologies. Unfortunately, the blue light that our digital devices emit can damage our eyes or lead to Computer Vision Syndrome. Computer Vision Syndrome, or digital eye strain, refers to multiple eye and vision-related problems that stem from the prolonged use of digital devices.

One simple step you can take to protect your vision from digital eye strain is to use the 20-20-20 Rule. This rule entails looking at something 20 feet away for 20 seconds every 20 minutes you spend gazing at a screen. This will give your eyes a chance to rest and refocus, and it’ll also help you refresh your mind to stay on task.

Additionally, your computer desk setup plays a big role in your eye wellness. For the most ergonomic setup, you should place your screen a bit below eye level and 20 to 26 inches away from your eyes. It’s also a good idea to position your computer monitor, so it won’t reflect overhead or outside lights and create a glare.

Labor Workforce Eye Health Concerns

In the labor workforce, several types of eye injuries can occur. Occupations at risk include:

  • Construction
  • Manufacturing
  • Mining
  • Auto Repair
  • Electrical
  • Plumbing
  • Welding and more

These are occupations in which employees frequently work with hazardous materials, bacteria, or tools that can seriously harm their eyes and impair their vision. For example, mechanics may wear safety glasses or goggles to prevent caustic chemicals and fragments of glass or metal from entering their eyes. This is why it’s crucial to take every precautionary measure possible.

OSHA requires using safety eyewear whenever there’s a reasonable probability of injury and whenever these potential hazards are present:

  • Chemicals
  • Projectiles (particles of wood, dust, metal, etc)
  • Bodily fluids
  • Radiation (lasers, UV radiation, heat, or infrared radiation)

You may not always consider needing to wear protective eyewear, but it’s better to be prepared in case an accident should occur. It’s estimated that 90% of the workplace eye injuries that happen annually are preventable.

Safety glasses are the most common kind of personal protective eyewear or PPE. Both traditional and wraparound safety glasses look and fit similarly to regular glasses but have side shields to block foreign materials from entering your eyes. On the other hand, safety goggles offer 360-degree coverage and sit snugly over your eyes, providing a seal against hazards. Another option is face shields, which cover your entire face. According to the American Optometric Association, the kind of eye protection necessary “depends upon the type of hazard, the circumstances of exposure, other protective equipment used and individual vision needs.”

What to do if You’re Injured on the Job

You should take action immediately if you suffer an eye injury while at work. Start by removing any safety eyewear and then wash your hands. If you wear contacts, gently remove them from your eyes. Regardless of the type of eye injury, you should follow your company’s safety protocols.

If debris lands in your eye, try blinking a few times to see if it’ll come out on its own. If not, look in a mirror and try to identify which part of your eye the debris is in with clean hands. If the debris is in the upper part of your eye, pull your upper eyelid down over your lower eyelid and release. If you don’t succeed with this method, try using a damp cotton ball to remove the particles or gently run a stream of water over your eye.

If the debris is in your lower eyelid, pull the eyelid out and press on the skin underneath so you can see the pink part of the inside. If you can see the debris, you can try to get it out with a damp cotton ball, being careful not to touch your eyeball. You can also run a gentle stream of water over the inside of your eyelid.

If any harmful liquids or other substances have entered your eye, flush out your eye immediately with clean water. Optometrists say you should visit your eye doctor so they can assess the condition of your eye after the accident and make any recommendations for treatment.

Our team here at Vistar Eye Center is happy to provide vision care to Southwest Virginia. Contact us immediately if you’ve suffered any sort of eye injury. You can trust the doctors at Vistar Eye Center to treat your injury with the best-in-class care.