Would you like to switch to the accessible version of this site?

Go to accessible site Close modal window

Don't need the accessible version of this site?

Hide the accessibility button Close modal window
Accessibility View Close toolbar
VH

Our Location

(707) 206-0290

Open mobile navigation
  • Home
  • New Patient Center
    • Online Forms
    • Insurance and Payments
  • About Us
    • Meet the Optometrist
  • Eyecare Services
    • Contact Lens Exams
    • Eye and Vision Exams
    • Lasik Eye Surgery
    • Hard to Fit Contacts
    • Computer Vision Treatment
    • Sports Vision
    • Sunglasses
  • Frames
    • Designer Frames
  • Testimonials
  • Contact Us
    • Appointment Request
  • Community Content
  • Home >
  • Articles >
  • Newsletters >
  • Protecting Your Vision While At Work

Protecting Your Vision While At Work

  • Created in Newsletters
Man rubbing eyes after looking at computer screen

How to Protect Your Eyes at Work

Work-related eye injuries affect more than 2,000 people every day and cause temporary or permanent vision loss in 10 to 20 percent of all cases, according to Prevent Blindness. Unfortunately, injuries aren't the only eye problems you may experience on the job. In today's digital world, prolonged exposure to digital screens may also affect your eyes. Luckily, it's easy to safeguard your vision by following a few of these tips.

Use Eye Protection Every Day

Do you avoid wearing goggles or safety glasses because you find them inconvenient or uncomfortable? If you work in an environment where flying debris or chemicals could injure your eyes, you may regret your decision one day. Even a tiny speck of metal or sawdust can harm your vision or irritate your eye.

If the eye protection your company provides isn't comfortable, ask your supervisor to purchase new eyewear or buy your own. Look for goggle, glasses, and shields that:

  • Completely Cover Your Eyes, Including the Sides
  • Are Shatterproof
  • Don't Restrict Your Vision
  • Are Comfortable When Worn Over Prescription Eyeglasses
  • Won't Be Damaged By Exposure to High Temperatures or Hot Liquids
  • Are Easy to Clean
  • Provide Ultraviolet (UV) Protection If You Will Be Welding or Performing Other Tasks That Expose You to UV Light

Take Frequent Screen Breaks

Dry eyes can be an issue after spending time viewing a computer, cellphone, tablet, and other digital screens. When you look at screens for long periods of time, you tend to blink less, which can cause or worsen dry eye.

Dry eye is just one of the symptoms of computer vision syndrome, a common condition in today's technology-driven world. Other symptoms include blurred vision, headaches, eyestrain, and neck and shoulder pain.

Following the 20/20 rule can help you avoid computer vision syndrome symptoms. After looking at a screen for 20 minutes, focus on an object in the distance for at least 20 seconds to reduce symptoms. Build regular breaks into your schedule if you spend the entire day working with a computer or other digital device. Artificial tears can help you keep your eyes moist and comfortable.

Changing the position of your screen may also be helpful if you experience any of the symptoms of computer vision syndrome. The American Optometric Association recommends keeping screens 15 to 20 percent below eye level for optimal comfort.

Use Computer Glasses

Computer glasses provide a simple way to reduce eyestrain, dry eye, and other computer vision syndrome symptoms. The glasses provide clear vision at a distance of 20 to 26 inches, reduce glare, and shield your eyes from the effects of potentially harmful blue light emitted by digital devices.

Try New Lenses to Reduce Sensitivity to Light

Working under fluorescent lights can be very uncomfortable if you suffer from photophobia, commonly called light sensitivity. The condition can affect anyone but often occurs in people who have light-colored irises. Photophobia can cause eyestrain, tearing, headaches, squinting, stiff neck and nausea.

If you have your own office, it's easy to prevent photophobia symptoms simply by using a desk lamp instead of the overhead lights. Unfortunately, it's hard to avoid fluorescent lights when you work in an open-plan office. Special rose-colored Fl-41 eyeglass lenses may help improve your comfort if office lights bother your eyes.

FL-41 lenses decrease light sensitivity by filtering out blue and green wavelengths of light and improving contrast. The FL-41 filters can be added to both prescription and non-prescription lenses. Wearing these special glasses may also be helpful if fluorescent lights cause migraines or seizures.

Wear Sunglasses When Working Outdoors

Sunglasses that protect against both ultraviolet A (UVA) and Ultraviolet B (UVB) light are a must if you spend even a few minutes of the workday outside. Exposure to ultraviolet light can increase your risk of developing macular degeneration, cataracts, skin cancer, and corneal sunburn.

Whether you've experienced a work-related injury or vision problem or are due for a check-up, we're here to help you care for your vision. Contact our office to schedule an appointment.

Sources:

American Optometric Association: Computer Vision Syndrome

American Optometric Association: Protecting Your Eyes at Work

All About Vision: Computer Glasses

Prevent Blindness: Eye Safety at Work

Mayo Clinic: Dry Eyes

Migraine Buddy: FL-41: Effective Migraine Treatment or Just Hype?

  • Common Eye Conditions
    • Age-Related
    • Cognitive and Acquired
    • Vision Impairment
    • Injury & Irritation
    • Eye Lids
    • Changes in Appearance
  • Contact Lenses
  • Eye Diseases
  • Eyeglasses
    • Eyeglass Lenses
  • Eye Symptoms
  • How the Eyes Work
    • Basic Visual Skills
  • Pediatric Vision
  • Protecting Your Eyes
  • Visual Rehabilitation
  • Vision Problems
  • What is Vision Therapy
  • Vision Therapy Programs
  • We Can Help With
    • Cataracts
    • Corneal Disorders
      • Disorders
    • Glaucoma
    • Refractive Disorders
    • Adult Strabismus
    • Retinal Disorders
  • Newsletters
    • Glasses & Frames
    • Contacts
    • Tips for Healthy Eyes
    • Conditions That Affect Vision
    • Kid's Vision
    • Amazing, Interesting Eyes
    • Medical Perspectives

Contact Us

We look forward to hearing from you.

Hours of Operation

Our Regular Schedule

Rohnert Park Office

Monday:

11:00 am-4:00 pm

Tuesday:

10:00 am-7:00 pm

Wednesday:

9:00 am-7:00 pm

Thursday:

9:00 am-5:00 pm

Friday:

9:00 am-5:00 pm

Saturday:

Closed

Sunday:

Closed

Locations

Find us on the map

    No testimonials found. Please add

Featured Articles

  • March Newsletter: Are Your Eyes Getting Enough Vitamin D?

    Not getting enough of a key vitamin might increase your risk of several eye diseases. ...

    Read More
  • March Newsletter: Is Your Prescription Up to Date? What You Need to Know about When and Why You should See Your Optometrist

    Not sure when you need to see the eye doctor? ...

    Read More
  • Saccadic Fixators

    This entails a wall-mounted square board with a starburst design. Along the various striations of the starburst are lighted buttons. As the buttons light up, the patient works quickly to see how many of these lit buttons they can push before they go out. The key is to keep the head still. Peripheral ...

    Read More
  • Patches

    Eye patches are used to strengthen muscle control in weak eyes. By placing a patch over the strong eye, the weaker eye is forced to do the heavy lifting. While it may be uncomfortable for the patient at first, the muscle controlling the weaker eye will become tougher and more resilient. This will allow ...

    Read More
  • Rotation Trainers

    Rotation trainers consist of a disk – with various designs – that is attached to a rod-like base. As the disk rotates, the patient is asked to perform tasks that are designed to test and enhance eye-hand coordination, space awareness, perceptual awareness and visual acuity. ...

    Read More
  • Computer Software

    Computer aided vision therapy consists of a software package designed to enhance eye tracking skills, visual thinking, processing skills and binocular vision skills. Eye teaming, focusing and tracking are not optical in nature, and problems in these areas are the result of poor eye muscles. Specialized ...

    Read More
  • Prisms

    A prism has the same cross-section across the entire length of its shape. When used in eyeglasses, they often correct abnormalities associated with nearsightedness, farsightedness and double vision. Eyeglasses, or corrective lenses, reduce or increase the size of the image based on the eyes’ ability ...

    Read More
  • February Newsletter: Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD) Awareness Month

    Do you know how age-related macular degeneration could affect your vision? ...

    Read More
  • February Newsletter: Why Dry Eye Is So Difficult to Treat

    Are dry eyes a frequent problem? Try these tips. ...

    Read More
  • January Newsletter: How to Tell if You Have Macular Degeneration

    Do you know the symptoms that may mean you have macular degeneration? ...

    Read More

Newsletter Signup

Sign up for more articles!

  • Copyright © 2023 MH Sub I, LLC dba iMatrix
  • Admin Log In
  • Site Map