Throughout the U.S., more than 2,000 people suffer a job-related eye injury each day, with approximately 200-400 of these people suffering temporary or permanent vision loss. At Whitsett Vision Group, we want to bring awareness to this issue, and help prevent eye injuries in the workplace by reminding you that March is Workplace Eye Wellness Month.
Accidental Workplace Injuries
While the numbers above might seem staggering, the good news is that 90 percent of all eye injuries can be prevented by wearing proper eye protection. OSHA, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, requires employers to provide their workers with proper eye protection. At Whitsett Vision Group, we urge all workers to insist on proper protective eyewear, especially those workers in construction sites, industrial workplaces, and any other workplace where eye injuries are common.
The Houston eye doctors at Whitsett Vision Group also suggest taking the following preventative measures to help prevent eye injuries at work:
- Complete an eye hazard assessment to learn the eye safety dangers at work
- Eliminate any hazards before beginning work: use machine guards, work screens, or other engineering controls
- Use proper eye protection, such as employer provided safety glasses, welding helmets, face shields, and any other protective eye and facial gear.
Digital Eye Injuries
Despite what you may think, not all eye related injuries are caused by accidents in the workplace. Prolonged use of digital devices can also cause a condition called digital eye strain. According to The Vision Council, 80 percent of adults spend at least two hours a day on a digital device. Nearly 67 percent of adults use two or more devices at one time, which can lead to digital eye strain.
Symptoms of digital eye strain include:
- Dry, irritated eyes
- Headaches
- Blurred vision
Workers that spend prolonged periods of time using digital devices can take the following precautions to help prevent or limit their chances of developing symptoms of digital eye strain:
- Make sure the font size on your computer or other digital device is large enough to avoiding squinting to read.
- Take a 20-second break every 20 minutes to look at something 20 feet away – this is called the 20-20-20 plan.
- Sit approximately 24 inches away from your computer screen.
- Make sure you have proper lighting in your office to avoid glare.
- Use artificial tear drops up to 4 times daily to help with any dryness in your eyes.
- Schedule a comprehensive eye exam each year with your Houston eye doctor at Whitsett Vision Group!
This March during Workplace Eye Wellness Month, Whitsett Vision Group wants to reminder employers and workers to take caution, and ensure proper eye protection in the workplace. If you have suffered an eye injury, please contact Whitsett Vision group at (713) 365-9099 to schedule an eye exam today.