How to Protect Your Employees’ Vision at Work

Posted on March 22, 2024 in Vision Health

Did you know that eye and vision problems are common in the workplace? While not all jobs put employees at a high risk of eye injury, like construction or manufacturing work, digital eye strain from prolonged computer use can also impact your employees’ productivity at work. 

Today, two out of three Americans report regular symptoms of digital eye strain. Symptoms can include:

• Eye pain
• Headaches
• Dry eyes
• Blurred vision
• Neck and back aches 

For employers, helping your employees protect their vision should be a top priority. Not only can vision concerns at work lead to reduced productivity, but they can also lead to absenteeism, higher error rates, and greater stress.

Promote Healthy Habits at Work

On average, Americans spend nearly seven hours a day looking at screens. Using a screen has become a common way to work, socialize, and play. While your employees are at work, here are a few ways to help promote healthy vision.

• Use the 20-20-20 rule: For every 20 minutes an employee works on a computer, they should focus on an object 20 feet away for 20 seconds to rest their eyes.
• Take breaks: Promote the practice of taking short breaks throughout the day to allow eyes to rest. Taking a 10-15 minute break every 1-2 hours is healthy.
• Device set up and lighting: Ensure your employees have a comfortable place to work, seated at least 20 inches from their device and in a location away from the glare of windows or bright lights.
• Preventive care reminders: If your employees are offered a vision plan, remind them to use annual preventive care checkups to maintain healthy vision.

Offer Vision Care Plans

Offering vision insurance through your employee benefit plan is one way to promote positive eye health at work. By providing this benefit, employees have a chance to save money on annual preventive exams and other vision care.

Vision care is essential to employee health and wellness and can help detect everything from eyestrain to diabetes to high blood pressure.

Delta Dental of Iowa’s DeltaVision^® plans are available to businesses of any size for vision insurance at an affordable rate.

Looking for more information on vision coverage? Check out “Vision Insurance 101 – The Five Ws of Your Vision Benefits”.