When one thinks of occupational hazards, eye health is hardly at the top of the list. But in a new report by the International Labor Organization (ILO), eye health is emphasized as a pillar of work safety and productivity for office workers. Thirteen million workers around the world suffer from work-related visual impairments. This affects livelihood - those with visual impairments have a 30% decrease in employment - and the global economy, totaling $411 billion in lost productivity hours.
On-the-job eye risks don't just happen to professionals in construction, mining, or auto repair. Office workers are constantly exposed to multiple screens, which can cause eye strain and disrupt the body's natural circadian rhythms, making it harder to fall asleep, among other health dangers. Increased screen time also lessens blink frequency, resulting in irritation or dry eye. Most notably, eyes that spend too much time focusing on near objects, such as a laptop or phone, tend to elongate, which increases myopia or nearsightedness. It's predicted that by 2050, half the world will be nearsighted. If you are an office manager or administrator, finding ways to protect yourself and your team from short- and long-term vision damage is critical.
Blue light lenses
Blue light exposure tends to be high at the workplace, given that computer monitors, smartphones, tablets, and office LED TVs can all emit blue light - not to mention sunlight itself. Almost all blue light passes through the cornea and lens to reach the retina. Long-term, this can damage your workers' retinal cells, causing age-related macular degeneration, cataracts, and even eye cancer.
Thankfully, there are a few ways to lessen potential damage. Buying blue light glasses can reduce our exposure to blue-violet light from the sun and other sources. These lenses were designed to protect our eyes from the harmful effects of excessive screen time daily, so they help minimize eye fatigue, remove discomfort in vision, and allow users to sleep better. The Ray-Ban 0RX7017 features a lightweight silhouette and comfortable injected rubber temples. They can be fitted with blue-violet light filtering lenses to combat both natural and artificial blue light.
Remind your team to use their eye health insurance coverage, if any, to secure protective lenses. To reduce digital eye fatigue, employees should take screen breaks. The 20-20-20 rule calls for focusing on something 20 feet away for about 20 seconds every 20 minutes, which can help keep their eyes healthy.
Alternative light sources
Fluorescent lighting is common in office settings - unfortunately, it's also the worst type of light for eye health. A study published in the American Journal of Public Health found a 12% increase in eye diseases, such as cataracts, due to prolonged exposure to bright and cool fluorescent lights. Some fluorescents fall outside the safe light range of 2000 to 3500K, causing blurred vision, increased light sensitivity, and even migraines in the case of light-sensitive team members.
However, dim lighting can be equally damaging, as it causes eye strain. Consider alternatives to light positioning that improve visibility, ease eye strain, and create a soft environment for concentration and focus. The A-light Relay lighting system delivers direct lighting for reduced glare. With continuous illumination throughout the linear pendant system, even its corners are well-lit. Its indirect lighting mode can be used to adapt to natural lighting conditions, whether your team works during the morning or evening.
While screen use is inevitable to reach productivity goals, your employees' eye health is essential to ensure they can perform at their best. Taking measures to make the office a more eye-friendly environment can go a long way in maintaining a successful workplace.
