March is Workplace Eye Health and Safety Month in West Des Moines

No matter what your occupation, workplace eye safety is vitally important for your productivity, your vision, and your health in the long run. Our eye doctors in West Des Moines, also serving Waukee, Urbandale, Johnston, and nearby Iowa communities, have been celebrating National Workplace Eye Health and Safety Month by talking to our patients about protecting their eyes while working. Read on to learn more and make sure you're doing what's necessary to protect your eyes while on the clock! 

Common Workplace Eye Health Hazards

A few obvious workplace eye dangers include hazardous chemicals and biological or inorganic debris (including sparks, liquids, and airborne particles from construction equipment). If you work outside a lot, then you're also at risk for excessive UV radiation exposure from the sun. 

What's less known, perhaps, is that many people working in the office setting may be at risk for computer vision syndrome--a collection of symptoms including eyestrain, headaches, blurry vision, and dry itchy eyes that results from spending too much time in front of a computer screen. Excessive "screen time" is hard on the eyes (especially because we tend to blink less while using computers), and can expose us to blue light, a specific wavelength that can damage retinal cells. 

3 Simple Steps To Protect Your Eyes In The Workplace

1. If your employer or company recommends protective eye equipment--wear it!  This includes safety goggles, masks, and helmets. Many injuries to the eyes and peri-orbital areas--some of which may lead to partial or complete vision loss--are almost 100% preventable with the correct use of eye protection.
2. Practice good computer hygiene. For example, adjust the lighting in your workplace and on your screen to minimize glare. Every 20-30 minutes, look away from your computer screen for at least 20-30 seconds to give your eyes a break. Make sure your monitor is at eye level and approximately 30 inches away from your face to prevent eye fatigue. 
3. Ask your employer and our eye doctors in West Des Moines about the right corrective eyewear for you. Depending on the nature of your job, our optometry staff can outfit you with the perfect prescription to fit your needs, including durable eyeglasses, contact lenses, and even specialized computer eye glasses to help block blue light emissions and minimize strain on your eyes.

Call Our Eye Doctor in West Des Moines Today!

If you're looking for an eye doctor in West Des Moines who can help you protect your occupational vision health, schedule a comprehensive eye exam with our optometry team at Lock Family Eye Care today by calling 515-267-1312.