Thousands of eye injuries occur in the U.S. each year, but up to 90 percent could be prevented simply by wearing proper safety eyewear.
March is recognized as Workplace Eye Wellness Month (also called Workplace Eye Health and Safety Month) by Prevent Blindness, the nation's leading volunteer eye health organization.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and Prevent Blindness, more than 2,000 U.S. workers sustain a job-related eye injury every day that requires medical treatment. About one in 10 of these injuries leads to missed workdays, and many result in temporary or permanent vision loss. In recent years, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported around 18,500 eye-related injuries and illnesses annually that caused at least one day away from work. These incidents cost businesses and workers hundreds of millions of dollars yearly in medical care, workers' compensation, and lost productivity'estimates range from $300 million to over $467 million annually.
Common causes of workplace eye injuries include particles like dust, metal slivers, wood chips, or cement striking the eye, as well as chemical burns, blunt trauma, or exposure to intense light (such as from welding). Industries like construction, manufacturing, and mining see the highest rates, but hazards exist in offices too, such as digital eye strain from prolonged screen time.
Accident prevention starts with the basics: Always wear appropriate protective eyewear that meets OSHA and ANSI standards, such as safety glasses, goggles, face shields, or welding helmets tailored to the job.
Get regular eye exams for proper vision correction'computer users might benefit from specialized lenses like computer glasses or trifocals instead of standard bifocals to reduce strain. Follow the 20-20-20 rule for screen work: Every 20 minutes, look 20 feet away for 20 seconds.
