Tips for Eye Wellness

With more people working from home and spending more time on their screens (phones and computers), here are some useful tips to assist you in promoting healthy eyes.

Evaluate and Adjust your Workspace

Staring at a computer screen or repetitively assembling widgets for hours at a time strains eyesight. Remind co-workers to evaluate their workspace, identify any strain or damage risks, and make adjustments that protect their eye health, such as:

• Turn down the screen brightness and reduce blue light.
• Reposition work materials to between 20 and 26 inches from your eyes.
• Adjust your chair and posture so your worksite is slightly below your eyes level.
• Look at something 20 feet away for at least 20 seconds once every 20 minutes.
• Increase the screen font or use a magnifying glass to see small items.
• Blink regularly throughout the day or use eye drops to prevent dry eye.

Wear the Correct Eye Safety Equipment

Those that work with hazardous materials or operate equipment need to wear the proper eye safety equipment. Glasses, goggles and helmets, along with three steps, protect their eyesight.

• Wear eye safety gear at all times.
• Ensure the eye protection fits properly.
• Replace worn or torn eye safety equipment immediately.

This month, schedule an eye safety equipment inspection. co-workers

Encourage a Healthy Diet

The right foods can prevent eyesight deterioration and protect eyes from damage. For optimal eye health, eat foods that are high in zinc, vitamin C, vitamin E, and omega-3 fatty acids, such as:

• Green leafy vegetables.
• Non-meat proteins, including eggs, beans and nuts.
• Oily fish like tuna and salmon.
• Citrus fruit and juice.

To promote an eye-healthy diet, stock these foods in the break room or serve them during lunches.

Promote Regular Eye Checkups

An optometrist checks for vision changes and reviews eye health. The eye’s health and condition can even indicate a person’s risk of developing diabetes, hypertension or other chronic illnesses.