Did you know that March is officially Workplace Eye Wellness Month? We’re almost at the end of the month, but there’s still time for us to tell you about eye health in the workplace.
Whether you work at a desk or not, eyes can be easily damaged by excessive computer time or the incorrect use of safety equipment. Common complaints include dry and itchy eyes, headaches, blurred vision, eye pain and deteriorating eyesight to name just a few.
Eye health is extremely important. So, to help you to minimise damage and protect your eyes during long hours at work, here are our top 5 tips for healthy eyes.
Adjust Your Workspace
Computer screens are one of the most common ways that eyesight can be damaged in the workplace; the bright light can cause eye strain and we tend to blink less when using a computer, which leads to dry eyes.
When you work in an office, screens can be hard to avoid, but luckily there are ways that you can make your workspace more eye friendly. Top tips include turning down the screen brightness and reducing the amount of blue light from your screen (blue light is associate with more eye strain than warm colours such as red.)
You can also move your screen further away to make your workspace more comfortable and less damaging to your eyes; it is reccomended that your computer screen is around 20 inches from your face and that the top of the screen is level with your nose so that you’re looking down on it.
Take Computer Breaks
As we’ve already said, staring at a computer screen all day can cause extreme eye strain and dry eyes not to mention headaches and neck and back pain. One of the best ways to avoid this is by giving your eyes regular breaks.
If you work on a computer, always remember the 20/20/20 rule – it is recomended that you take a 20 second break every 20 minutes and to focus your vision on something that is placed around 20 feet away. Longer breaks away from your computer will also benefit your eye health, so get up and take a 15 minute break every few hours.
Get Regular Check Ups
Regular eye tests are essential for healthy eyes, but when you work in an environment that’s hazardous to eye health, they become even more important. During an eye test, an optician won’t just check for changes in your vision, but will look for signs of other problems and medical conditions.
To keep your eyes as healthy as possible, schedule eye checks every one to two years. You should also tell your optician if you use computers as part of your daily work routine.
Eat “Eye Healthy” Foods
Protecting your eye health starts with what you eat. Making sure you have the right foods on your plate will keep your eyes in top condition and will help to protect against damage and eyesight deterioration.
Foods that promote good eye health are generally rich in vitamin C and E, omega-3 fatty acids and zinc. These include green leafy vegetables, orange and citrus fruits or juices, oily fish such as salmon and tuna and non-meat protein sources such as eggs, nuts and beans.
Always Wear the Right Safety Equipment
While office workers often suffer from computer-related eye conditions, eye care is just as important for those who don’t work in an office. In fact, it could be even more important if you deal with dangerous equipment and hazardous materials which can lead to eye injury.
Those working in industries such as construction, manufacturing and electrical work should protect their eyes against damage by wearing the correct safety eyewear. Employers in these types of industry are required to provide the correct type of eye protection, so make sure you wear it at all times.
Do you suffer from eye problems related to your workplace? March may be Workplace Eye Wellness Month, but keep these tips up all year round and you’ll benefit from healthy and happy eyes.