Ophthalmologists Say 90 Percent of Work-Related Eye Injuries Can be Avoided

Ophthalmologists Say 90 Percent of Work-Related Eye Injuries Can be Avoided

Submitted by Griffin Eye Center

Caring for your eyes should be a high priority and part of an overall workplace wellness routine. Each day, about 2,000 U.S. workers sustain a job-related eye injury that requires medical treatment. However, 90 percent of these accidents can be avoided by wearing eye protection. As part of an ongoing effort to stress the importance of workplace eye wellness, Griffin Eye Center and the American Academy of Ophthalmology, during the month of March, is encouraging the public to do right by their eyes and wear appropriate eye protection. 

Workplace eye injuries cost more than $300 million a year in lost productivity, treatment, and compensation. Caring for your eyes on the job should not be limited to those who do physical labor, however. People who spend long hours working on a computer can experience eye discomfort. Focusing on small font type for hours on end can cause eye strain, fatigue, and headaches. Staring at screens for long periods can also leave eyes parched and red, causing eyes to become dry from lack of blinking. This happens frequently as computer screens or other digital displays reduce a person’s blink rate by as much as 50 percent.  

 The academy provides tips to help avoid workplace eye injury or strain: 

Wear protective eyewear: Your eyewear must be American National Standards Institute ANSI-approved and OSHA compliant. You must use special-purpose safety glasses, goggles, face shield or helmet if you are near hazardous radiation welding, chemicals, lasers or fiber optics. 

Position your computer 25 inches away: If you are working on a desktop computer, try placing the monitor at arm’s length away from your face. You may need to adjust the font size to appear larger at that distance. 

Follow the 20-20-20 rule: Eye strain and dry eye occur after long, continuous periods of viewing digital screens up close. To help alleviate this, take a break every 20 minutes by looking at an object 20 feet away for 20 seconds. Looking at a distance allows your eyes to relax and return to a regular rate of blinking again. Normally, people blink about 14 times a minute and with every blink, your eyes are lubricated with fluid that contains moisturizing elements, including oil. 

Reduce glare on your smartphone and digital screen: While many new phones and digital devices have glass screens with excellent picture quality, they also produce a strong glare that can aggravate the eyes. If you use a glass screen device, adjust the low light filter setting to lower screen brightness or use a matte filter to reduce eye strain. 

Adjust environmental lighting at your work: If your computer screen is brighter than your office surroundings, your eyes need to work harder to see. 

How often do adults need eye exams? The academy recommends that a healthy adult get a baseline eye exam at age 40, even if they have no history of eye problems or eye disease. Those who have chronic conditions, such as diabetes or high blood pressure, may require more frequent exams.

Source: American Academy of Ophthalmology

About Griffin Eye Center
Griffin Eye Center’s team of experienced professionals includes Neil B. Griffin, M.D., board-certified and fellowship trained ophthalmologist who specializes in cataract, LASIK and corneal surgery, Reuben R. Tipton, M.D., FACS, board-certified ophthalmologist in comprehensive ophthalmology, and Shawn D. Thomas, OD, specializes in comprehensive ophthalmology and dry eye disease. If you would like to schedule a comprehensive eye exam or would like more information, call Griffin Eye Center Myrtle Beach 843-449-6414 or Murrells Inlet 843-299-2485 or visit griffineyecenter.com.