It doesn’t matter where you work, any workplace can cause deterioration to your vision. From eye strain due to hours of staring at a screen to foreign particles entering your eyes, you need to make sure you take the right precautions in your work setting. Here are a few top tips to help keep your eyes safe at work.
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Check Your Environment
In a perfect world, an organization should take necessary precautions to ensure their workforce is safe. Unfortunately, this is not always the case. It is essential that you check your environment at work and take the necessary measures yourself. For instance, office workers who work on computers all day should always try to look at an object 20 feet away for 20 seconds every 20 minutes. This 20-20-20 rule can help reduce the chance of blurred vision and eye strain.
Sun Protection
Workers who spend an excessive amount of time outdoors may already be taking precautions against excessive sun exposure, such as applying sunscreen and wearing protective clothes. However, many people don’t realize that UV rays can cause eye conditions, like cataracts. You can protect your eyes by wearing a peaked hat or wearing sunglasses. In addition, reading sunglasses are ideal for those who struggle to focus on objects close up.
Protective Eyewear
There are different types of protective eyewear depending on the environment you work in. Using protective gear in the workplace can help protect your eyes and your vision.
Computer Glasses
Computer glasses help protect those in an office from blue light. Blue light can be harmful in large amounts, and can cause damage to the retinas, eye strain and insomnia. These types of glasses reduce reflective glare, which helps prevent eye fatigue. Some brands even claim to tackle blue light directly.
Safety Goggles
People who work in places where they are in danger of foreign bodies entering their eyes, such as laboratories and construction sites, should wear safety goggles while they work. Protective eyewear can deflect particles and protect your eyes from physical damage.
Medical Safety Glasses
Medical safety glasses offer the same type of protection as goggles, in that they can protect the eyes from third party danger. For instance, people who work in hospitals and dental practices may work with hazardous substances or harmful radiation or lasers. Medical safety glasses are specially designed to keep your eyes safe from this type of harm.
Schedule an Eye Test
Everyone should always take the right measures for their eyes, as outlined above. However, if you are currently experiencing discomfort related to your eyes or you find yourself with rapidly deteriorating vision, it is a good idea to schedule an eye test with your local optician. Some eye conditions are indiscernible to the naked eye and it is best to catch them early on. Opticians and optometrists can help you spot irregularities and detect changes in your eye health. They can help treat any issues and treat them before they get worse.
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