Eye Safety

Regular eye exams are just one part of keeping our eyes healthy. 1 Protecting the eyes, especially in the workplace, is vital. Around 2,000 American workers suffer from eye injuries at the work place every day.5 But eye doctors and safety professionals say that using the right eye protection can significantly reduce that number by as much as 90%.6

Common workplace eye injuries include:3,4

• Scratched cornea 

• Chemicals in the eyes

• Blunt-force trauma to the eyes

• Foreign objects in the eyes

• Steam burns

• UV and infrared radiation exposure

• Chemical exposure

• Transmission of infectious diseases 

Workplace Eye Safety and Eye Protection

So why do eye injuries happen? The American Optometric Association (AOA) says there are two main reasons: not wearing eye protection and/or using the wrong type of eye protection for the job.2

The first line of defense is personal protective equipment (PPE) for the eyes and/or face. PPE such as goggles, safety glasses, and face shields. They can be sized individually or adjustable. The fit should be comfortable and shouldn’t block or get in the way of peripheral vision.2

When it comes to PPE for the eyes, the right choice depends on the job itself. Here’s a quick guide to what to use and when:7

• Safety glasses with side protection: Jobs that cause or involve particles, dust and/or objects that may fly at the eyes.

• Goggles: Jobs that involve working with chemicals.

• Face shields or helmets: Jobs that involve hazardous radiation, such as welding, working with fiber optics or lasers. Special-purpose safety glasses or goggles may also be used for these kinds of jobs.

Outside employees also run the risk of sun and UV damage to their eyes. Remember to wear sunglasses when you don’t need to use your PPE. Sunglasses should have 100% UV protection (sometimes labeled as UV absorption up to 400nm). Polarized lenses can also be helpful since they reduce glare. Large or wraparound lenses are better than smaller ones. Plastic or polycarbonate lenses are less likely to break or shatter than glass ones. Remember that the color or darkness of the lenses doesn’t really matter – it’s all about the UV protection, not the shading.8

Eye Safety for Office Workers

Employees who work on computers all day should also be mindful of their eye health. The average US employee spends 7 hours per day working on computers, whether they work in the office or at home. All that time looking at screens can be harmful to their eyes due to digital eye strain, also known as computer vision syndrome.3

We encourage screen time breaks with the 20-20-20 rule. It’s very simple – for every 20 minutes spent looking at a computer screen, smart phone, tablet, or similar electronic device, take a 20 second break every 20 minutes. During that break, look at something around 20 feet away.3

Other ways to help office workers protect their eyes and prevent eye strain include:13,14

• Make sure the computer screen or monitor is around 4-5 inches below eye level when measured from the center of the screen. The screen should also be 20-28 inches away from the eyes.

• Avoid glare by placing computer screens away from light sources that create glare and using anti-glare screens on monitors.

• Place reference materials so that your head doesn’t have to reposition every time you look from the document to the monitor. 

• Remember to blink – it may sound silly, but research has shown that people blink less often when looking at computer screens and electronic devices. Blinking is the body’s way of moisturizing the eyes, which can help prevent eye strain.

References:

1 American Optometric Association (AOA). “Comprehensive eye exams.” Accessed March 13, 2023.

2 National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH). “Eye Safety.” Accessed March 13, 2023.

3 AOA. “Protecting your eyes at work.” Accessed March 13, 2023.

4 American Association of Ophthalmology (AAO). “Perfect Vision? 20 Tips to Keep It That Way.” February 10, 2020. Accessed March 13, 2023.

5 Prevent Blindness. “Protect Your Vision at Work.” February 26, 2019. Accessed March 14, 2023.

6 Occupational Safety and Health Administration. “Recommended Practices for Safety and Health Programs.” Accessed March 14, 2023.

7 OSHA. “1910.151 – Medical services and first aid.” Accessed March 14, 2023.

8 OSHA. “Health Effects from Contaminated Water in Eyewash Stations.” Accessed March 14, 2023.

9 OSHA. “Standard Interpretations/Requirements for eyewash and shower facilities.” Accessed March 14, 2023.

10  American National Standards Institute (ANSI). “ANSI Z358.1-2014: Emergency Eyewash & Shower Standard.” July 3, 2018. Accessed March 14, 2023

11 AOA. “Tips for Choosing the Best Sunglasses.” June 10, 2021. Accessed March 14, 2023.

12 AOA. “Computer vision syndrome.” Accessed March 14, 2023.

13 AOA. “Eye Health Guidance for Screen Time.” Accessed March 14, 2023.