10 Tips to Protect Your Eyes When You’re On-the-Job!

Whether you’re working remotely, at a job site, or in an office setting, ensuring eye safety and wellness is paramount. The CDC and the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) reports that approximately 2,000 U.S. workers suffer job-related eye injuries requiring medical attention each day. Recognizing the significance of this issue, March is designated as Workplace Eye Wellness Month, and to do our part, the Hawaiian Eye Center shares valuable tips for preventing workplace eye injuries.

Many job-related eye injuries occur in high-risk blue-collar professions like construction, plumbing, electrical work, welding, carpentry, and maintenance. These occupations often involve exposure to flying debris, power tools, particles, and chemicals, all of which are leading causes of eye injuries. From inflammation, contusions, and scratches from debris to severe injuries resulting in temporary or permanent vision loss, the risks are diverse, including impact from projectiles, blunt-force trauma, eye penetration, and chemical or thermal burns.

Despite these risks, the American Academy of Ophthalmology reveals that nearly 90% of work-related eye injuries can be prevented with proper eye protection and precautions. If you work in a high-risk field, consider these essential tips:

1. Wear protective eyewear! This is the most effective preventive measure against job-related eye injuries. Furthermore, only remove protective eyewear after completely turning off tools and replace damaged eyewear promptly.
2. Follow OSHA safety rules and adhere to guidelines and regulations for your protection.
3. Set correct controls and PPEs (protective screens, machine guards, etc.) before tasks to avoid exposure to chemical, projective, and light hazards.
4. Turn containers away when opening to minimize exposure to chemical, projectile, and light hazards.
5. Stay focused on the tasks at hand, especially when using power tools or working with chemicals. This will greatly prevent accidents and injuries, including eye injuries.
6. Flush out the eyes with water if you come into contact with debris or chemicals. Remember, it is crucial to seek medical attention immediately in the case of an accident.

While the risk of eye injuries is lower in home and office settings, there are still potential issues such as digital eye strain, a result of prolonged computer screen use. To safeguard your eyes during home or office work, consider these tips:

7. Adopt the 20-20-20 rule in which you take a 20-second break every 20 minutes, looking at something 20 feet away.
8. Wear prescription reading glasses if needed to minimize stain on your eyes, as well as ensure prescriptions are correct and up-to-date.
9. Blink regularly to combat dry eye syndrome associated with reduced blinking during computer use.
10. Adjust your workspace: Position the screen just below eye level, 20-28 inches away, and adjust brightness to surroundings.

Regardless of the workplace’s risk level, caring for your eyes is crucial. “Healthy vision is essential for both maintaining productivity in work, as well as our independence and quality of life,” emphasized Dr. Steve Rhee, lead ophthalmologist at Hawaiian Eye Center. “By prioritizing our eye health today, we help to ensure sustained, clear eyesight for years to come.” From the entire Hawaiian Eye Center ohana, we wish all hard workers out there a happy Workplace Eye Wellness Month!