No matter flying debris or chemical splashes, any exposure to dangerous activities may lead to eye injuries and vision loss. It’s important to take the necessary precautions to prevent eye injuries or adopt safety measures to prevent your employees from developing serious visual impairments as a result of working under unfavorable conditions. Do you want to know more about eye injury prevention? If yes, keep reading because in this blog we are going to talk about what you need to know about eye injuries in the workplace.
Common Causes of Eye Injuries in the Workplace
Eye injuries in workplaces are mostly caused by accidents resulting from the poor conditions of the working environment. Listed below are the most common causes of eye injuries in the workplace:
Ultraviolet Radiation
People who work in the field for a long time without using safety gear may expose to an excessive amount of ultraviolet radiation -- it is the major cause of health issues and eye defects that have been diagnosed currently. These eye disorders include itching, carcinomas of various eye parts, and red eyes.
Flying Debris or Objects Hitting the Eyes
Some occupations require employees to work where debris flies freely in the air. For instance, builders and engineers perform activities such as mixing lime and cement as well as chiseling which causes certain particles to be released into the air. Besides, objects with pointed edges may pierce the eyes accidentally. Of course, blunt objects can also cause severe damage like loss of vision and internal bleeding.
Harmful Chemicals
Some chemicals are hazardous substances that can dangerously affect the human body, while the eyes can also be affected if chemical fumes enter the eyes. Upon contact with the eyes, chemicals can cause watering of the eyes, severe burn, and even permanent vision loss.
Eye Strain
Many employees spend a lot of time glaring at the screen of their computers which is inadvisable because strong light from the screen would strain the eyes, thereby causing eye injury. Eye strain is very common in most working environments as computers and laptops are the major working tools currently.
What are the Symptoms of Eye Injuries and Vision Loss?
Eye injuries in the workplace are a serious concern for both employees and employers. If you or your employee experience an eye injury in the workplace, it is advisable to see an ophthalmologist as soon as possible. The followings are certain symptoms that accompany eye injuries: some symptoms might show immediately while some might appear over time and cause certain sight decline, even permanent visual impairment.
Bruises, Redness, or Bleeding
Depending on the cause of the injury, eyes may become red or bruises may appear after sustaining an eye injury. Bleeding in the eye may cause visual impairment.
Difficulty in Movement or Changes in Appearance
Because of the pain from the injury, some people might find it difficult to move or roll their eyes. These are very common symptoms. Besides, the eye pupil may take a different form, for instance, one eye might become small and the other might become bigger, or one eye may bulge out of its socket. In cases where the eye injury is not severe, you can quickly apply first aid by using a cold compress before you go to see the doctor.
Preventing eye injuries and vision loss in the workplace is an important responsibility for both employees and employers. By following the tips and strategies outlined in this blog, employers can reduce the risk of eye injuries and help ensure the well-being of their workers.
Suggestions for Employers to Prevent Eye Injuries
Employers should establish and enforce proper safety procedures that minimize the risk of eye injuries in the workplace. This includes proper training for employees, regular safety audits, and timely responses to potential hazards.
Eye Protection Programs
The creation of eye protection programs by employers is a great move, and employers should make this a mandate for everyone. Educating employees on the safety precautions to take in the work environment would help to mitigate possible hazards. Eye injuries would also be prevented as employees already have full knowledge of hazard prevention.
Proper Inspection of Work Equipment
As employers, always ensure that you carry out a critical inspection of plant operations. Take a good look at access routes, equipment, and work areas to discover and identify possible accidents that can happen to the eyes. Besides, every employer should ensure that they put in place first aid materials to enable them to curb hazards in the work environment. Eyewash should be stationed at strategic corners, especially where toxic chemicals are used for work.
Planning for an Emergency and Provide Protective Eye Glasses
Chemicals in the workplace can be a major reason for eye injuries and vision loss. Employers should ensure that workers are trained on the proper handling and storage of chemicals and that appropriate safety measures are in place to minimize the risk of chemical exposure. This includes providing workers with the necessary protective equipment and safely establishing procedures for handling and disposing of chemicals.
Suggestions for Employees to Avoid Eye Injuries and Vision Loss
Know the Symptoms of Eye Injuries
Knowing the signs of eye injury can help you take prompt action if necessary. Some common signs of eye injuries include pain, redness, blurred vision, and a feeling of something being in your eye. If you experience any of these symptoms, please seek medical attention as soon as possible.
Adjust Your Computer Screen Properly
Prolonged screen time can lead to eye strain, headaches, and other related vision problems. To prevent these issues, make sure to adjust your computer screen to the appropriate brightness, contrast, and position. You should also take regular breaks and practice eye exercises to help reduce eye strain.
We advise reading Eye Strain? It’s Time to Take Good Care of Your Eye to learn about eye strain symptoms and how to treat them. Let us safeguard our vision together!
Choose Eye Protection to Prevent Eye Injury and Vision Loss
The first line of defense against eye injuries is wearing protective eyewear. Whether you’re working in construction, manufacturing, or operating machinery, it’s essential to wear protective eyewear, such as blue light-blocking glasses, safety glasses, goggles, or face shields to prevent your eyes from feeling the strain, flying debris, harmful chemicals, and other hazardous materials.
How to Choose the Right Eye Protection?
Choosing the right eye protection depend greatly on your eye condition: you must evaluate your prescription needs, when and where you'll be wearing your glasses, as well as their comfort degree and level of protection. For those with normal vision, you should make sure that the eye protection you wear is appropriate and complies with the safety regulations of the environment in which you are working. We seriously recommend that you make an appointment with your optometrist to get the best pair of glasses for your face shape and usage.
If you want to know more about how to choose protective glasses, please read How to assess ratings of safety eyeglasses and goggles?
Choose Eye Protection for the Visually Impaired: Low-Vision Aids
For people with vision impairment or color blindness, wearing low-vision aids for enhancing vision in the work environment is necessary. Low vision aids with OCR and Text-to-Speech functions are a must-have for those who need to read a large volume of papers, as they can significantly reduce eye strain and increase working efficiency. One such portable electronic video magnifier is the Zoomax Snow 12, which is favored by businessmen. As portable as an iPad but without the requirement for internet connectivity, Snow 12 can be used to read any type of printed or saved digital material even on the go.
Click to read How to choose the right low vision reading device? to find out more about how to choose low vision aid. You will receive very in-depth and expert information sharing.
Wearable electronic magnifiers， namely low-vision E-glasses, not only help low-vision people see more clearly and ensure they notice the surrounding situation in a timely manner but can also have a protective effect by helping them avoid flying debris or other hazards that could harm their eyes. That’s why low-vision electronic eyewear is a good option for doing outdoor staff or activities. Zoomax Acesight series of high-tech AR and VR eyewear, featured fashionable, comfortable, and lightweight, are highly recommended by ophthalmologists and are a perfect fit for individuals who want to exercise more. A kind reminder: it is best to follow your eye doctor’s recommendations, or at least to test them out, since some companies provide free trial periods to new clients when they sign up.
Read More: Can 20/200 Vision be Improved with Digital Glasses?
