Don’t Take Your Chances

During “Workplace Eye Wellness” month, we’re reminding you that your vision is one of your most vulnerable assets. Careless mistakes can cost substantial vision reduction or even permanent vision loss in the span of just a few seconds – but sometimes, the bigger problem is damage that isn’t noticeable until it’s too late. Fortunately, simple safety guidelines help you plan ahead and avoid vision harm before it starts.

Workplace eye damage is sadly quite common: every day, roughly 2,000 U.S. workers sustain job-related eye injuries requiring treatment. It’s estimated that over 90% of those could have been prevented with simple, affordable, and easy optical safety measures. And while the majority of these incidents happen in construction or industrial settings, a significant portion also occur in “clean settings” where work seems safe – no moving parts or chips of wood and steel.

The Importance of the 20-20-20 Rule

Office workers who don’t encounter any machinery more severe than a paper shredder or power stapler should be wary of the harmful effects long-term screen exposure can have on tired eyes. Constant screen-staring, especially at detailed, fine-line documents, spreadsheets, and lines of code can exhaust optical stamina and cause undue stress on your focusing system. It can also reduce lenses’ ability to properly adjust for focus.

While the scientific jury is still out on the effectiveness of so-called “blue light” glasses that have grown popular in recent years, Andrews does recommend a simple practice that does demonstrably improve office optical wellbeing. “Office workers should always remember the 20/20/20 rule,” says Dr. Andrews. “Every twenty minutes, look at something at least twenty feet away for twenty seconds.” This helps reset your eyes and give them a chance to stretch and relax. Pair it with standing up and a good stretch to help your circulation and muscles, too!

Proper Protection is Worth It

Industrial workplaces can be some of the most dangerous in general and also for your eyes. Make sure to wear properly-fitting safety glasses that meet the appropriate ANSI/OSHA standards. Welders should wear the appropriate welding shield to prevent “welder’s flash.” Your workplace should also have an eyewash station installed and each employee should know its location in case of chemical exposure.

“If you’re exposed to chemicals,” said Dr. Andrews, “it is important to be able to obtain Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) that records the name of chemical. That helps us know exactly how to treat your eye quickly.”

Bases with a higher pH are more dangerous to the ocular surface than acids. Some examples of acids are ammonia (found in fertilizer), lye (some cleaning products), lime (found in cement), potassium hydroxide, and magnesium hydroxide. Acids are sulfuric acid, battery acid, and found in many household cleaners.

If your eye comes into contact with any chemical, irrigate your eye under the sink or at an eyewash station for at least 20 minutes. Seek eye care promptly after irrigation.

Dr. Andrews recalled a patient who came in for evaluation following exposure to bleach in his right eye. “Though he washed the eye immediately for about twenty minutes, the patient still experienced pain that got worse after the event,” Dr. Andrews explained. “He had reduced vision and was unable to focus.”

“Happily, we were able to treat him with additional irrigation to restore pH levels, as well as prescribe steroids and an antibiotic ointment. Simple plastic goggles would have completely prevented the issue,” she said.

For people working outdoors, say in the landscaping or construction industry, you might not realize the potential harm your eye’s are enduring due to the sun’s UV rays. The solution is simple: sunglasses. Look for UV-blocking lenses, ideally with a wraparound design so that your eyes are protected from all sides. It also helps to wear wide-brimmed hats to cover the skin around your eyes and face. The added benefits are you should develop fewer wrinkles!

Remember: it is always worth investing in – and asking your employer to invest in – simple safety equipment and education to protect your eyes, whether you’re on the job site or in the office. Your eyes will thank you!