Did you know that the AAO designates the whole month of March as Workplace Eye Wellness Month? Why is this something that is important?
Well, for one thing, you only get one pair of eyes. For another, most eye injuries actually occur in the workplace. So it makes sense that Workplace Eye Wellness Month takes place every year.
It’s important to focus on safety at the workplace when it comes to your eyes. In fact, the AAO states that “each year, nearly 25,000 Americans visit the emergency room due to a workplace eye injury”.
This alone underlines the importance of keeping your eyes free from harm, but how exactly can you achieve this? Keep reading to learn more!
What Kind of Hazards Are At Your Job?
To know the best way to protect your eyes from injuries, you first need to know what kind of hazards your job creates for your eyes. Proper eye protection varies among occupations. One type of eye safety equipment may not be necessary while another may not provide enough protection depending on the job.
For example, a chemist may need a full face shield to prevent caustic liquid from splashing in their eyes and face while they experiment. They would not need the tinted glass that a welder needs to shield their eyes from the intense light of a welding torch.
Certain construction work may cause a lot of debris and dust to become airborne, which can be hazardous to your eyes. For these jobs, a simple well-fitting pair of goggles may be enough to keep you safe. Know your job, and know what risks it can pose to your eyes before starting it.
You Need To Be Safe At Your Desk Job As Well
Workplace eye safety extends to desk jobs as well. This has never been more relevant than now.
More people than ever before are working from home. Even though you aren’t handling dangerous concoctions or using heavy equipment, that doesn’t mean your eyes are free from harm.
These days, a desk job means spending hours in front of a computer screen. This can create a lot of strain, both from the muscles in your eyes straining on a singular focal point for too long and from a lack of blinking. Not blinking enough causes your eyes to lack lubrication and become dehydrated.
You can do a lot to keep your eyes safe at a desk job by taking frequent breaks and setting reminders to look away from your computer every 20 minutes or so. There is a form of eye safety equipment you can invest in as well.
Blue light glasses filter out wavelengths of light emitted from computer screens. This blue light has a shorter wavelength and higher frequency.
This means it is closer to ultraviolet light. Blue light is known to cause headaches, eye strain and disrupt your body’s sleep cycle.
Research is also being done to find out if it can further harm your eyes.
Wondering about other ways to keep your eyes safe and healthy? Schedule an appointment at Eye Care Specialists in Kingston, PA, today!
