Prevent Blindness encourages workplace eye wellness

Chicago-In response to a recent study by the Vision Council which found that close to 70% of American adults experience some form of digital eyestrain, Prevent Blindness has declared March Workplace Eye Wellness Month.

The organization is offering several suggestions to prevent eye strain, due to the increased use of digital devices, such as computers, tablets, and cell phones:

·      Visit an eye doctor for a dilated eye exam to make sure you are seeing clearly and to detect any potential vision issues.

·      Place your screen 20 to 26 inches away from your eyes and a little bit below eye level.

·      Use a document holder placed next to your computer screen. It should be close enough so you don't have to swing your head back and forth or constantly change your eye focus.

·      Adjust the text size on the screen to a comfortable level.

·      Change your lighting to lower glare and harsh reflections. Glare filters over your computer screen can also help.

·      Use a chair you can adjust.

·      Choose screens that can tilt and swivel. A keyboard that you can adjust is also helpful.

·      The Vision Council recommends the 20-20-20 break:  every 20 minutes, take a 20-second break and look at something 20 feet away.

Prevent Blindness also recommended the use of eye protection in the workplace, especially in industries such as construction, manufacturing, or any profession where eye accidents and injuries may occur.

“Taking care of our eyes should be a job we perform around the clock,” said Hugh R. Parry, president and chief executive officer of Prevent Blindness. “By protecting our eyes at work and at home, we can help stay healthy and productive for years to come.”

For more information about the workplace eye health topics, visit preventblindness.org.

Additionally, the company-along with its partners-has announced the third annual Focus on Eye Health National Summit, to be held on June 18 at the National Press Club in Washington, DC.

The mission of the summit is to elevate the national dialogue around vision and public health issues.

At the summit, Prevent Blindness will release a new report projecting the potential burden and economic impact of vision problems into the future. The study expands on previous studies the organization has done.

“We are excited to be hosting such an impressive collaboration of leaders in the vision and public health fields, as well as patients and advocates to help further the important mission of protecting vision,” Parry said. “We also want to thank our sponsors for their generous support, . . . because of their contributions, we can come together to help protect the gift of sight.”

In conjunction with the summit, the organization will hold the 9^th annual Eyes on Capitol Hill event on June 17, bringing those directly impacted by vision loss and blindness together with their government representatives.

To register or for more information, visit preventblindness.org/eyesummit.

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