Industries With High Risk for Eye Injuries

Workplace eye injuries are more common than many believe. Thousands of individuals get their eyes hurt while on the job each year. Across various industries, employees face risks that range from eye strain and minor irritation to trauma that can cause irreversible eye damage. Fortunately, wearing proper protective eyewear can prevent over 90% of severe eye injuries.

A local optician shares some of the most common jobs that can put you at risk for eye injuries.

Jobs That Can Put Your Eyes at Risk

Construction and Manufacturing

The construction and manufacturing industries involve tasks that often produce flying debris, such as wood, metal or concrete fragments. Workers in these fields are susceptible to eye injuries from high-powered tools like saws, drills, grinders and welding equipment. Moreover, exposure to solvents, acids and caustic substances can also heighten the risk of eye damage.

Healthcare

Healthcare professionals, including doctors, nurses, and laboratory technicians, encounter various eye hazards at work. They are often exposed to bloodborne pathogens and infectious fluids, increasing the risk of infections. These individuals also handle various medical instruments that can potentially harm their eyes.

Mining and Quarrying

Workers face numerous eye hazards in mining and quarrying operations, including flying rocks, dust and debris. Activities such as drilling, blasting and handling heavy machinery can generate particles that may hurt the eyes. Harmful gases or chemicals in the mines can also harm eye health.

Welding and Metal Fabrication

Welding can generate intense light, heat, and sparks, causing welders and metal fabricators to face various eye hazards. Workers could suffer from arc eye or photokeratitis without proper eye protection. Also called welder’s flash, this painful condition is often the result of unprotected exposure to ultraviolet radiation. Prolonged exposure to welding fumes and metal particles can lead to long-term eye damage.

Chemical and Pharmaceutical Industries

Employees working with chemicals and pharmaceuticals handle substances that can harm their eyes upon contact. Splashes of corrosive acids, alkalis or other hazardous substances can cause severe eye injuries, including burns and tissue damage. Furthermore, accidental spills or leaks in laboratories can expose the eyes to harmful vapors or fumes.

Writing and Proofreading

Eye strain happens when you use your eyes intensely for extended periods. Dry eyes, blurred vision, watery eyes, light sensitivity and itchy eyes characterize this condition. Some might also experience headaches and neck, shoulder, or back pain. Writers and proofreaders can suffer from eye strain because their jobs involve reading, writing and staring at screens for hours.

Computer Programming

Programmers spend significant time working on computers, looking at screens for hours. Prolonged screen time can also result in symptoms of eye strain. Poor ergonomics and improper lighting can exacerbate the condition. Undetected refractive errors and vision problems can also contribute to eye strain. It’s among the many reasons to schedule an eye exam regularly.

Graphic Design and Multimedia

Graphic designers and multimedia artists engage in visually demanding tasks that require precision and attention to detail. They often work on high-resolution monitors for extended periods, straining the eyes. Color-critical work may also necessitate intense focusing, further contributing to eye strain.

Financial Services and Data Analysis

Professionals in financial services and data analysis rely heavily on computers to analyze data, perform calculations and generate reports. They typically examine numerical data, charts, and graphs for hours, potentially leading to eye fatigue and discomfort.

Education

Teachers usually spend hours preparing lessons, grading papers and creating instructional materials. These tasks require reading and reviewing soft and hard copies of documents. Doing them for extended periods can strain the eyes.

Administrative and Office Work

Administrative assistants, secretaries and office managers frequently work with digital and printed documents throughout the day. Repetitive tasks like typing, reading emails and working on spreadsheets can lead to eye strain, especially if they don’t observe proper ergonomic practices and screen breaks.

What Can You Do to Protect Your Eyes?

Wear Appropriate Protective Eyewear

Safety goggles, face shields and helmets can protect the eyes against windborne debris and chemical splashes in the workplace. Your protective eyewear should fit you right to ensure it delivers sufficient protection. Be sure to wear your eye gear at all times while you’re on the job. It’s also a good idea to routinely check it for signs of damage, such as cracks and scratches. Replace damaged eyewear right away to maintain safety.

Tweak Your Workstation

Ideally, your computer screen should be at arm’s length away from your eyes. The middle of the monitor should be around 10 to 15 degrees below eye level. You’ll find it more comfortable looking downward on your screen. It will also help you avoid neck and back pain.

Ensure Proper Lighting

Glare is a common cause of eye strain. It could form on your screen due to sunlight from windows or overly bright overhead lighting. You can avoid it by changing the position of your computer monitor or using window treatments like curtains or drapes.

Give Your Eyes a Break

Even if you have deadlines to beat, you should still dedicate some time to give your eyes a break. You can try practicing the 20-20-20 rule. It’s where you look at something 20 feet away for 20 seconds every 20 minutes. Taking frequent breaks from screens goes a long way in preventing eye strain.

Don’t Forget to Blink

Every time you blink, tears flood your eyes, helping them stay lubricated. Blinking also eliminates dead cells and debris from your eyes. There’s a high chance you’ll forget to blink if you’re doing something that requires concentration and focus. Consciously blinking while working will save you from dry eyes and ensure your eyes receive the nutrients and moisture they need.

See Your Eye Doctor Regularly

You don’t need to wait to experience problems with your eyes before scheduling an eye examination appointment. Routinely seeing your eye doctor can help protect your vision and maintain good eye health. You’ll know if you need to update your prescription eyewear during your visit. Your eye specialist can also give tips on what you can do to avoid eye strain and protect your eyes in the workplace.