March Is Workplace Eye Wellness Month
Have you ever sustained an eye injury while on the job? Maybe you’ve gotten headaches from staring at your computer screen for too many hours at a time?
Whether you’re working from the office, your home, or anywhere else, you need to be aware of proper procedures to keep your eyes healthy and safe. Keep reading to learn more about Workplace Eye Wellness Month!
Common Eye Injuries
Almost 25,000 Americans visit the emergency room each year because of an eye injury at their place of work. Potential eye hazards in the workplace include:
- Chemicals
- Particles like dust, concrete, metal, and wood getting in your eyes
- Hazardous fluids splashed into the eye
- Burns from steam
- Ultraviolet or infrared radiation exposure to the eye
Healthcare workers, laboratory, and janitorial staff risk daily exposure to infectious diseases. These diseases can be transmitted through the mucous membranes of the eye.
If you work in one of these fields you could become exposed to blood-borne pathogens from blood and body fluids. This could result in contracting hepatitis or HIV.
Computer Vision Syndrome
Also referred to as digital eye strain, this vision problem stems from spending too much time staring at digital devices. Have you experienced eye discomfort after a long period of time spent on your computer, tablet, e-reader, or cell phone?
Symptoms include eyestrain, headaches, blurred vision, dry eyes, and neck and shoulder pain. These are caused by improper lighting, glare on your screen, and not wearing proper eyewear.
You can get CVS whether you work from home or at an office. Help lower your risk by adopting the 20-20-20 rule: Take a 20-second break to look at something 20 feet away every 20 minutes.
This will help rest your eyes. Also, blink frequently to help keep your eyes from feeling dry.
If you spend a considerable amount of time staring at your computer screen you might want to consider picking up a pair of blue light glasses. These special glasses help protect your eyes from LED light that can damage your eyesight over time.
Keep Your Eyes Safe
- Use appropriate safety eye wear while performing jobs that present a risk to your eyes
- Remove or reduce eye hazards whenever possible
- Know the eye safety dangers at your work and make sure your coworkers are aware of these dangers too
- Replace your safety eye wear if it becomes damaged
Types of Eye Protection For Use In The Workplace
Nonprescription and prescription safety glasses look like normal eyeglasses but have stronger lenses and frames. They look like your glasses but provide protection from the elements around you.
Goggles provide a secure shield around your eyes and protect them against foreign objects, dust, or chemicals. You can wear goggles over your contact lenses or prescription glasses which means that you can do your job and see clearly. Find a pair that fits securely around your eyes.
You may need special protection gear (helmets and/or goggles) while working with lasers. This will protect your eyes from radiation exposure.
What Happens If You Get Something In Your Eye?
Always seek medical attention immediately if you get a foreign object or substance in your eye. This is especially important if you experience pain, blurred vision, or vision loss.
Flush your eye with water for at least 15 minutes after exposure to a chemical. If you wear contacts, remove them first.
If you get dirt or debris in your eye, don’t rub it! Instead, try using eye drops or your tears to help clean out your eye.
Seek immediate medical care for cuts or punctures to your eye or eyelid. Never try to remove an object that is stuck in your eye.
Help keep your eyes healthy by following proper workplace eye safety measures whether you work inside the home or out.
Can’t remember when you last saw an eye doctor? Schedule an appointment at Pinke Eye Center in Shelton, CT, today!
