For more information:
Prevent Blindness Northeast Region
Priscilla Kelangi
Phone: (312)-363-6037
Prevent Blindness Northeast Region Declares March as Workplace Eye Wellness Month to Help Protect Vision at Work
— Prevent Blindness Northeast Region Provides Free Information to Employers and Employees to Help Keep Vision Healthy —
Boston, MA (Feb 28, 2019) – No matter the occupation, eye protection plays an important role in keeping eyes and vision healthy. From jobs that require extended use of computers and device screens, to those in construction or manufacturing where exposure to liquids, particles, or flying debris is a concern, taking care of the eyes should be a priority.
According to The Vision Council, about 80 percent of American adults report using digital devices for more than two hours per day, with nearly 67 percent using two or more devices simultaneously. Almost 60 percent report experiencing symptoms of digital eye strain. Symptoms may include dry and irritated eyes, headache, and blurred vision.
Prevent Blindness Northeast Region has declared March as Workplace Eye Wellness Month, and recommends talking with an eye care professional about ways to help minimize eye strain. These tips may help make your workplace more comfortable:
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- Place your screen 20 to 26 inches away from your eyes and a little bit below eye level.
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- Use a document holder placed next to your screen. It should be close enough so you don’t have to swing your head back and forth or constantly change your eye focus.
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- Change your lighting to lower glare and harsh reflections. Glare filters over your digital screens can also help.
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- Get a chair you can adjust.
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- Choose screens that can tilt and swivel. A keyboard that you can adjust is also helpful.
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- Computer glasses with yellow-tinted lenses that block blue light can help ease digital eye strain by increasing contrast.
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- Anti-reflective lenses reduce glare and increase contrast and also block blue light from digital devices.
There is some concern over the long-term effects of screen exposure because of the close proximity of the screens and the length of time spent looking at them. More information may be found at https://www.preventblindness.org/blue-light-and-your-eyes.
For those who work in industrial settings, the type of safety eye protection worn depends on the potential hazards in the workplace. For workers who may be exposed to particles, flying objects, or dust, safety glasses with side protection (side shields) should be worn. Goggles should always be worn when working with chemicals. For those working near hazardous radiation (welding, lasers, or fiber optics) special-purpose safety glasses, goggles, face shields, or helmets must be worn that are designed for that task. Additional informational resources may be found at https://www.preventblindness.org/eye-safety-work.
“Having healthy eyes and vision contributes to our ability to work and remain independent,” said Paulette Tattersall, Director of Prevent Blindness Northeast Region. “We urge everyone to contact an eyecare professional on the best ways to keep eyes healthy, and work with their employer to make sure their work environment is free of hazards.”
To find out more about workplace eye health topics, please contact Prevent Blindness Northeast Region at (312)-363-6037 or visit childrensvisionmassachusetts.org.
About Prevent Blindness Northeast Region and Children’s Vision Massachusetts
Prevent Blindness Northeast Region is part of Prevent Blindness, the nation’s leading volunteer eye health and safety organization, serving the states of Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island and Vermont. Focused on promoting a continuum of vision care, Prevent Blindness touches the lives of millions of people each year through public and professional education, advocacy, certified vision screenings, community and patient service programs and research. These services are made possible through the generous support of the American public. Together with a network of affiliates, Prevent Blindness is committed to eliminating preventable blindness in America. For more information, or to make a contribution to the sight-saving fund, call 1-800-331-2020. Or, visit us on the Web at preventblindness.org or facebook.com/preventblindness
Children’s Vision Massachusetts, supported by Prevent Blindness, is a seventy member coalition of families, professionals from multiple disciplines and affiliations, whose mission is to facilitate the development of a state-wide plan to improve the visual health of children in Massachusetts. To achieve this, the coalition is working to raise awareness and create systems to assure that every child has a vision screening, eye exam, and ongoing treatment if diagnosed with a vision condition.
To join our efforts use #kidsvision #eyehealth #eyesoncapitolhill and spread the word about Children’s Vision Massachusetts. You can also follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn
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