Best Eye Wellness Tips While on the Job

More than 2,000 people in the U.S suffer an eye injury while working every day, with over 700,000 of them happening every year. Whether you sit in front of a screen or work on construction and home improvement, you should always take care of your eyes and regularly visit your eye doctor to rule out possible vision problems.

In recognition of Workplace Eye Wellness Month, Nova Vision Center discusses how you can raise awareness and promote proper eye safety to reduce eye-related injuries in the workplace. 

Common Eye Hazards and Injuries

1. Blue Light – With more than 60 percent of people spending over six hours of their day in front of electronic devices that use LED backlight technology, the glowing blue light emitted from them can cause eye dryness, pain, and even vision issues. This blue light is hardly noticeable and does provide benefits such as boosting alertness and elevating your mood, but prolonged exposure to it may cause certain injuries such as retinal damage and digital eye strain syndrome.

2. Infections and Diseases – This is more common in nurses, doctors, and others in the medical industry, as they constantly face a higher risk of workplace eye infections through ocular exposure to diseases. Infectious diseases and viruses are easily transmitted through simple acts such as touching the face or eyes with contaminated fingers.

Eye Wellness Tips to Keep in Mind

Our resident optometrist recommends these useful tips to keep your eyes healthy:

• The 20-20 Rule – Every 20 minutes of screen time, take a 20-second break and look at an object at least 20 feet away from you. To enforce this simple rule, try leaving your desk and taking a quick stroll around the office, giving your eyes a break and a refreshing change of scenery.

• Adjust Your Screen and Posture – Make sure to clean your computer screen regularly to keep the dust and other small debris from infecting your eyes. Place your computer screen 20 to 26 inches away from your eyes and slightly below eye level. Position it away from any direct light source as well so that there’s no harsh glare. Your desk chair should also be at an appropriate height to prevent hunching over while you’re working.

Whether you need to have your eyes checked or looking for new contact lenses, make your appointment with Nova Vision Center today! Call us at (703) 578-3600 or fill out our convenient online form. We serve Alexandria, Arlington, and surrounding VA areas.