March Is Workplace Eye Wellness Month

Prevent Blindness, a non-profit, voluntary organization committed to fighting blindness, saving sight, and improving policies for eye and vision health, has yet again declared March as Workplace Eye Wellness Month. People employed in all different types of industries, from administrative and office work to construction and specialized labor forces, face unique, job-specific risks for sustaining eye-related injuries and illnesses. In observance of this year’s campaign, let’s take a moment to review some important statistics and safety tips for how to avoid a preventable injury or illness.

Eye Injuries and Illnesses

You may wonder what kind of eye injuries and illnesses there are other than the obvious scenario of getting something that hurts or burns in your eye. The truth is, there are lots of kinds of eye injuries and illnesses, like:

• Penetrating injuries, where sharp objects puncture the eye. This can cause bleeding in addition to damage to both external and internal structures.
• Corneal abrasions. A corneal abrasion is a scratch on the cornea (the clear part of the eye). This type of injury is often caused by objects like debris, fingernails, and contact lenses.
• Cuts or tears to the eyelid.
• Foreign body injuries from particles like dust, sand, or metal shavings.
• Chemical burns from exposure to industrial or household cleaning products and/or chemicals.
• Blunt trauma, or a blow to the eye, which often involves bruising, bleeding, and damage to the eye socket.

According to the most recent data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), more than 18,500 general industry workers suffered eye-related illnesses and injuries in 2020. The agency found that the most common causes of occupational eye injuries (which were also the ones that most frequently resulted in medical treatment and time away from work) were workers being abraded by or rubbing a foreign matter in the eye or being struck by an object or equipment.
For individuals employed in office settings, the primary use of digital devices like tablets, cell phones, and computers leads to a potentially dangerous hazard: blue light. Experts worry that workers who spend long periods of time exposed to blue light and at close distances may develop digital eye strain. Digital eye strain, synonymous with “computer vision syndrome,” is eye discomfort caused by the prolonged use of screens and digital devices. Sufferers often experience symptoms like headaches, blurred or doubled vision, eye fatigue, dry, red, or itchy eyes, light sensitivity, and difficulty focusing.

Avoiding Eye-Related Injuries and Illnesses

Regardless of whether you work in construction or in an office, your employer is equally responsible for providing you with a work environment free from known and recognized hazards. For example, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, or OSHA, mandates eye or face protection when there are hazards like flying particles, molten metal, liquid chemicals, acids, caustic liquids, chemical gases or vapors, and/or injurious light radiation present. For office workers, some of the top interventions for guarding against digital eye strain include:

• Observe the 20-20-20 rule and take regular breaks. This means that every 20 minutes, look at something 20 feet away for 20 seconds.
• Blink frequently.
• Consider using specialized eyewear, like computer glasses with anti-reflective coatings, to reduce glare.
• Adjust the workstation to ensure proper lighting and minimal glare and to allow for a comfortable viewing distance.
• Lubricating eye drops can be helpful for soothing dry or uncomfortable eyes.
• Stay on top of eye exams to address any vision or eye issues you are experiencing.

Should You Contact an Attorney?

Whenever someone gets hurt at work because their employer failed to abide by federally mandated safety and health guidelines, they should consult with an attorney. At Galfand Berger LLP, our attorneys have been fighting on behalf of injured workers for over 75 years. We can help you file a Workers’ Compensation claim so you can acquire medical benefits and wage replacement. If you sustained an eye-related injury or developed digital eye strain or some other type of eye-related illness, our team can help. To learn more about filing a claim, contact a representative online now.

Philadelphia Workers’ Compensation Lawyers at Galfand Berger LLP, Representing Injured Victims Since 1947

Contact the Philadelphia Workers’ Compensation attorneys at Galfand Berger LLP today. Call us at 800-222-USWA (8792) or fill out our online form for a free consultation. Located in Philadelphia, Bethlehem, Lancaster, and Reading, we serve clients throughout New Jersey and Pennsylvania, including Allentown and Harrisburg.