As we step into March, recognized by Prevent Blindness as Workplace Eye Wellness Month, it’s time to re-focus our attention on our eyes and their well-being. Healthy eyes are key contributors to workplace productivity— they boost how well you work by cutting down on eye strain and related issues, letting you stay focused for longer.
Whether working from home or in an office, taking care of your vision with safe and effective retinal and cornea care is important to your work. Let’s explain some eye-care strategies that can enhance your productivity.
1. Optimize Your Workspace
The quality of your work environment affects how your eyes function. Follow these tips to create an eye-friendly workspace:
- Screen Position: Keep your computer screen at eye level, approximately 25 inches away. Adjust the brightness and font size for comfortable viewing.
- Lighting: Use natural light whenever possible. Position your screen to reduce glare from artificial lighting.
2. Blink Regularly
Intentional blinking prevents dry eyes and helps maintain eye moisture. Use artificial tears to refresh your eyes during extended screen sessions. A well-hydrated eye is a more comfortable and, therefore, more productive eye.
3. Wear Protective Eyewear
Wearing protective eyewear is an essential safety measure in the workplace. Shield your eyes from hazards such as:
- Flying Shards: Protect your eyes from potential projectiles, whether metal or glass.
- Tools and Equipment: Slippery tools or malfunctioning equipment can cause accidents.
- Particles: Wood splinters, metal shavings, or crystalline silica can harm your eyes.
- Chemicals: Spatters of chemicals pose risks, too.
For the best results, choose eye safety gear that meets the standards set by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI).
4. Take Regular Breaks
Prolonged use of digital devices, such as computer screens, can lead to eye fatigue and strain, a condition often referred to as Computer Vision Syndrome (CVS). Symptoms may include dryness, blurred vision, and headaches. Practice good eye care habits to mitigate these risks. Remember to follow the 20-20-20 Rule, which focuses on an object 20 feet away for 20 seconds every 20 minutes.
5. Combat Digital Eye Strain
For those working in office settings, prolonged screen time exposes eyes to blue light. Blue light is a type of light with shorter wavelengths and higher energy than other colors in the visible light spectrum, which research suggests can damage retinal cells and cause cornea problems through photochemical reactions within the eye tissue. While the exposure from screens is small compared to sunlight, it accumulates over time. Relieve digital eye strain with these retinal and cornea care steps:
- Blue Light Glasses: Wear glasses with blue light-blocking technology.
- Anti-Glare Filters: Reduce glare by using an anti-glare screen filter.
Your eyes constantly work overtime to absorb crucial information, from small text on a work laptop to large objects like heavy machinery within your field of vision. Keep your eyes and yourself safe and productive by checking in with your licensed ophthalmologist this Workplace Eye Wellness Month. Book an appointment with Center For Sight for a comprehensive look into your eye health.
The advice in this blog is for general informational purposes only and may not be suited for your exact insurance plan and visual needs. Therefore, consulting a qualified healthcare professional for personalized advice and treatment is essential.
About Center For Sight
Center For Sight provides ophthalmology, optometry, dermatology and cosmetic surgery services to patients in Southwest Florida. The practice offers patients convenient access to nationally renowned surgeons, highly-trained, compassionate staff members and cutting-edge technology. Center For Sight’s mission is to “bring clear vision to life” through trusting relationships and the unending pursuit of excellence in eye care. For additional information and locations, visit CenterForSight.net.
About Center For Sight Foundation
The Center For Sight Foundation is a donor-advised fund maintained and operated by the Gulf Coast Community Foundation, a section 501(c)(3) organization. The fund is composed of contributions made by individual donors. David W. Shoemaker, M.D., established the Center For Sight Foundation to support the annual Mission Cataract program, which restores vision at no cost for people living at the poverty level suffering vision loss due to cataracts. For more information, visit CFSFoundation.org.
