Protecting Your Eye Health While You Work
The type of work you perform has an impact on the level of risk your eyes may endure. Whether it’s from injury or health issues, you should take the proper precautions to protect your eyes. This is true whether your work involves physical labor or sitting behind a desk.
Preventing Workplace Injuries
Jobs like manufacturing, construction, welding, or auto repair are at high risk for eye injury. More than two thousand workers in the labor force seek medical attention for eye injury every day in the US.
That may seem worrisome, but the good news is that 90% of these accidents are preventable or could be greatly reduced in severity by wearing safety equipment. If you work in a field that is a high risk for eye injury, you should go to work everyday wearing safety glasses, a face shield, goggles, or a welding helmet.
Office Jobs and Safety
Although office jobs have less risk of eye injury, the work conditions may still be hazardous to your eye health. Computer vision syndrome, also known as digital eye strain, is the most common eye problem for those who work in an office setting.
The constant eye exposure to a computer screen may not cause permanent damage to your eyes. It can irritate your eyes and make them tired, causing symptoms like neck pain, headaches, back strain, and dry eye.
There are a few ways to combat the problem, including:
- Blink more often
- Use artificial tears liberally
- Drink plenty of water
- Wear blue light glasses for protection
- Schedule eye exams regularly
- Give your eyes regular breaks from the screen
Avoid Direct Sunlight
If you work outside, make sure your eyes are not subjected to harmful UV rays. Constant exposure can have a detrimental consequence on your eyes, like blurred vision and blindness. If possible, wear polarized sunglasses and avoid looking directly into the sun.
Avoid Contaminants
Working around harmful chemicals, whether gas or liquid, can cause serious injury to your eyes. Some pollutants are so strong they can cause impaired vision or blindness instantly. Be careful and wear safety glasses when in areas that contain these contaminants, or avoid them altogether if possible.
Wash Your Hands Regularly
Develop a habit of continually washing your hands at work to ensure anything you pick up is not transferred into your eyes. This includes particles, dust, and harmful contaminants.
We Can Help
If you deal with eye strain or you need more information about protecting your eyes at work, we can help. Just call Will Vision and Laser Centers for a consultation. We can answer your questions and allow you to work without the fear of damaging your eye health.
Schedule a virtual consultation, or call Will Vision at (877) 542-3937 to learn more.