Supporting Employee Eye Health

August is National Eye-Exam Month, a crucial reminder for organizations to prioritize eye wellness for their employees. Regular eye exams are vital for maintaining eye health and detecting potential issues early. According to the Centers for Disease Control, “A comprehensive dilated eye exam by an eye doctor can find eye diseases in the early stages. This is when treatment to prevent vision loss is most effective. During the exam, your eyes and vision will be tested. Your eye doctor can see behind your eyes and check for signs of health problems.”

Encourage Regular Eye Exams

Since the COVID-19 Pandemic, more individuals of all ages are increasingly utilizing screens with increased frequency for every task imaginable. Annual eye exams are essential for maintaining eye health. For individuals with risk factors such as diabetes or a family history of eye disease, more frequent exams might be necessary. Human Resources can facilitate this by providing reminders and information about the benefits of regular eye exams. 

Promote the 20-20-20 Rule

Combat digital eye strain by encouraging the 20-20-20 rule: every 20 minutes, take a 20-second break to look at something 20 feet away. This simple practice can significantly reduce eye fatigue. “Digital-related eye strain affects people of all ages. If you spend hours a day using digital devices, you might notice your vision blurs and your eyes feel achy and tired.” Posting reminders about the 20-20-20 rule around the workplace can help employees integrate this habit into their daily routine.

Review Total Rewards Programs

Annually review your total rewards program to ensure it supports optimal eye health. This can include comprehensive and accessible vision benefits. Eye exams are simple and comfortable and on average take 60 minutes. Making it easy for employees to access eye care can help prevent long-term vision problems that could impact work performance.

Encourage Breaks and Screen Adjustments

Encourage employees to take regular breaks from their screens and adjust their workstations to reduce eye strain. This includes using proper lighting, adjusting brightness and contrast, and positioning screens to avoid glare. According to the American Academy of Ophthalmology, “If your screen glows brighter than your surroundings, your eyes must work harder to see. Adjust your screen brightness to match the level of light around you.” Providing guidelines and ergonomic assessments can help employees create a more eye-friendly work environment.

Host Eye-Care Awareness Events

Organize events and activities that separate colleagues from devices, such as screen-free zones, eye-care days, or team meetings to emphasize the importance of eye health. These events can include workshops on eye health, on-site vision screenings, and distribution of educational materials. 

Prioritizing eye health in the workplace benefits both employees and employers. By promoting regular eye exams, supporting good eye-care practices, and utilizing vision benefits, Human Resources can assist workforce talent with maintaining healthy vision and productivity. Good vision is crucial for focus, reading, and overall job performance.

As your Workplace Empowerment Architect, AllProfit HR can assist you with managing and overseeing open enrollment, employee benefit reminders, wellness days, and assessment of employee work environments to ensure optimal health. Schedule your Discovery Call to explore ways to cultivate a sustainable and stellar culture of belonging for your workforce.