Healthy Vision on the Job is Everyone’s Business
March 2, 2010
In honor of March’s Save Your Vision Month, the AOA encourages Americans to prevent workplace eye strain and eye injuries.
Whether using a computer or a sledge hammer to get the job done, the AOA reports that visual discomfort, eye strain and eye injuries in the workplace are not only common, but cost billions in lost productivity each year. Research indicates that 2,000 workers each day in the United States sustain job-related eye injuries requiring medical treatment. Perhaps even more concerning is that safety experts and doctors of optometry agree that 90 percent of all eye and vision injuries could be prevented with simple safety steps such as wearing properly designed and fitted protective eyewear.
Go Easy on the PDA
According to the AOA’s American Eye-Q® survey, nearly half of all Americans (46 percent) spend five or more hours per day using a computer or a personal digital assistant (PDA). And while technology can easily improve the efficiencies of one’s life, prolonged use of electronic devices may lead to symptoms of Computer Vision Syndrome (CVS) such as eye strain, dry eyes, headaches, fatigue, blurred vision and inability to focus.
In this digital era, no one expects Americans to simply stop using these devices. Instead, the AOA recommends following these simple steps which can make big changes to ease vision strain:
Give It A Rest: Remember the 20-20-20 rule. At least every 20 minutes, take a 20-second break and look at something 20 feet away.
- Size Up: Smaller screens on hand-held devices usually favor tiny type that challenges your vision. Instead of bringing the screen closer to the eyes, increase the font size so the device can be used at a distance that is more comfortable for your eyes.
- Sharpen Up: Better resolution offers greater clarity and usually more comfort. Adjust the brightness of the screen to a comfortable intensity, neither too bright nor too dim.
- Reduce Glare: Hand-held devices present challenges in various lighting conditions. When possible, try to make sure lighting is not directly behind the head or in front. The AOA recommends users try to reduce glare, which may ease reading and can make a bigger difference than increasing the font.
