March is Workplace Eye Wellness Month, dedicated to raising awareness of the various hazards to your vision associated with the work environment, as well as awareness of best practices for overall eye health.
Let’s begin with injury prevention. Roughly 2,000 workplace eye injuries are reported in the U.S. every single day, which is one of the reasons for OSHA’s renewed focus on properly fitted personal protective equipment (PPE). The best way to avoid being a part of that statistic is to wear approved safety glasses of the right size in any construction or manufacturing setting, among others. Eyewear stamped with “Z87” or “Z87+” meets the ANSI standard for impact protection.
Even if you never operate tools or machinery, the workplace can present threats to your vision, and most of them come from that screen you’re looking at right now. Excessive screen time can lead to digital eye strain, dry eyes, and changes in vision. If your work keeps you in front of a computer, make it a point to follow the “20-20-20” rule: Every 20 minutes, look at something 20 feet away for 20 seconds.
Proper lighting can help to reduce eye strain. Consider also using blue light filtering glasses or screen protectors. The blue light associated with digital screens can lead to a host of problems ranging from fatigue to macular degeneration.
Your general health also plays a large factor in your eye health. Remember the old adage about carrots being good for your eyes? It’s true. Leafy greens and fish are also known to support healthy vision, and of course a diet rich in fruits, vegetables and omega-3 fatty acids is not only good for your eyes, but good for your overall well-being.
Likewise, the wide range of benefits associated with quitting smoking includes improved eye health. Non-smokers have a lower risk of cataracts, macular degeneration and other eye conditions.
When you’re outdoors, on the job or off, choose sunglasses – or safety glasses if appropriate – that block 100% of damaging UV rays. A wide-brimmed hat will offer even more protection.
Finally, most adults should have a thorough eye examination every one to two years, not only to determine proper vision correction with eyeglasses or contact lenses, but for early detection of less obvious conditions including glaucoma and macular degeneration.
Questions about safety in the workplace? Contact Heart to Beat.
