Workplace eye care is more than just ensuring your employees can see adequately. The digital era, combined with how the pandemic changed the way millions of us work day-to-day, has seen employees’ usage of digital devices skyrocket and this is having a real impact on our eyes.
More than 1 in 3 people in the UK reported deteriorating eyesight due to increasing screen time during the pandemic[1], and the rise in hybrid and digital working since then means that communications have continued to be increasingly digital, with many meetings now conducted through a screen. With this heightened usage and reliance on screens, employers have a duty of care to reduce the risk of health and wellbeing problems by encouraging healthy eye care habits when it comes to using digital devices for work.
The health implications of increased screen time
Whether it’s sending multiple emails a day, using digital software, or conducting back to back video meetings, we are becoming increasingly reliant on digital devices in our professional lives, as well as personal.
We commissioned a study to understand more about the physical and psychological impact technology is having on our health. Our research shows that anxiety, insomnia, eye problems and headaches are just some of the symptoms the majority of UK adults have admitted to experiencing due to usage of digital devices.
Among the adults polled, the most common ailments suffered after using digital devices include eye strain (78%), headaches (76%), poor sleep (76%) and neck ache (75%). More worrying still, the research revealed a significant psychological impact on tech users with 67 per cent confessing to experiencing insomnia and 68 per cent having suffered from anxiety.
The research also found that younger generations suffer most, with 90 per cent of those aged 18-34 experiencing poor sleep and headaches, 86 per cent experiencing eye strain and 84 per cent suffering from anxiety after using a digital device.
Workplace hazards
Technology is good for many things but can be a real issue for our health, particularly when it comes to our eyesight, which this data demonstrates. Screens, along with other artificial light sources in office environments, emit blue light, which can have a negative impact on the eyes.
Digital eyestrain leads to dry eyes as we don’t blink as frequently when we’re looking at a screen. It can also put an extra burden on the muscles which help the eyes to focus –symptoms include watering eyes, headaches, red eyes and blurred or double vision.
Often, the damage caused by overusing devices happens gradually and may not be noticeable at first which is why it’s important for employers to take a preventative and long term approach to help their team manage time spent on their digital activities.
Supporting employees’ eye health
There are some practical steps we can take to reduce the risk of developing these symptoms, such as taking regular breaks away from screens, reducing the brightness and volume settings on monitors.
As a manager, plan activities meetings and breaks around any big projects which involve a lot of screen usage and encourage short frequent breaks over longer, more occasional ones. Encourage face to face meetings over virtual ones to give workers a good opportunity to step away from screens.
Ensure the brightness of computer screens match the brightness of the surroundings and ensure office lighting isn’t too bright. Think about the office configuration to ensure that light isn’t reflecting off computer screens, to limit glare which can cause further discomfort to our eyes.
Make staff aware of the 20-20-20 rule – for every 20 minutes or screen time you should look away at something in the distance (about 20 feet away) for 20 seconds. Encourage employees to take a break from devices outside of work, allowing them to rest their eyes and enjoy a world away from screens.
Did you know stress can also impact your vision? When we are feeling overwhelmed and anxious, our pupils dilate to enhance eyesight and our bodies release high levels of adrenaline to trigger the fight or flight response.
But when we experience extreme and sustained periods of stress, the pupils can stay dilated for a prolonged period and this, coupled with higher-than-average levels of adrenaline, can have a negative impact on our eyes. The build-up of pressure leading to vision related problems such as eye twitching, light sensitivity and the worsening of existing conditions.
Practicing a healthy and flexible working environment which encourages employees to have time away from devices is key here, as well as thinking about optical support as part of wider employee health schemes to ensure that any health concerns amongst the team can be discussed with a medical professional to get a diagnosis and additional treatment and support where required.
Prevention is better than cure. Employers need to be aware of, and effectively manage tech usage to avoid the array of health implications which come hand in hand with this digital addiction which is impacting so many of us.
[1] www.fightforsight.org.uk, 12 January 2021
Charlotte Cook
Charlotte Cook, Optometrist and Clinical Development Coach at Bayfields Opticians and Audiologists has 20 years’ experience working at leading UK eye hospitals and optometrists. She now coaches optometrists across the company’s 51 practices throughout the UK to ensure clients receive the very best care and service.
