According to the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, around 2,000 American workers incur job-related eye injuries per day. Most of them happened because they lacked proper protection for their eyes.
To prevent these numbers from increasing, Shady Grove Eye and Vision Care suggests these five tips to help safeguard your eyes at work:
1. Be Mindful of Potential Eye Hazards
According to our reliable eye doctor in Alexandria, VA, eye injuries may come from different causes. Dust, concrete, and other particles may enter your eyes, especially if you are working for a construction or mining factory. You should also be cautious of harmful chemicals and substances that may splash into your eyes.
For healthcare professionals, we recommend wearing protective eyewear to prevent blood spills or other body fluids from coming into contact with your eyes. Some infections, like hepatitis or HIV, can be transmitted this way.
We also advise inspecting your work area and equipment before starting. This can help prevent eye injuries caused by machine-related accidents. Your employers should make sure this is being complied with.
2. Prevent Computer Vision Syndrome
If your work involves spending prolonged hours in front of the computer, you may develop blue light-induced ocular changes. We can perform an eye exam in Rockville, MD, to monitor your eyes and identify any manifestations of this condition.
We also suggest wearing computer eyeglasses, as well as installing anti-glare screens on your monitors. Resting and blinking your eyes regularly can also help prevent eye fatigue.
3. Use Proper Personal Protective Eyewear
We also recommend wearing safety glasses with side shields if you work in dusty conditions. If you are dealing with chemicals and other harmful substances, we advise wearing goggles to protect your eyes.
When you have to work with lasers, welding, or fiber optics, we recommend wearing special-purpose safety glasses alongside goggles. You may also wear face shields or helmets for additional protection.
4. Keep Regular Visits with Your Eye Doctor
To ensure your visual health, it’s a good idea to visit your eye doctor regularly. This way, we can thoroughly assess your eyes for any irregularities. We can also prescribe certain medications or eyewear to further protect them from eye damage. As soon as you experience any visual changes, vision loss, or eye pain while at work, seek expert advice immediately.
At Shady Grove Eye and Vision Care, we combine our knowledge and skills to preserve your eyesight. From corrective eyewear to laser eye surgery in Washington, DC, there are many ways for us to help you.
For more tips on how to protect your eyes at work, call us at (301) 859-4060. You may also complete our form to schedule an appointment.