Protecting an Important Asset
Changing work patterns demands extra care to protect the health of our eyes. More than 90 per cent of adults spend a minimum of two hours a day using a digital device. That figure is even higher for younger workers; 37 per cent of Millennials spend at least nine hours a day looking at screens of their smart phones and tablets. The American Academy of Ophthalmology suggests certain measures to protect the health of your eyes from the risks of increased use of digital screens:
- Working in front of a digital screen tends to reduce by one-half the frequency of eye blinking, which can result in dry and even burning eyes. To keep your eyes blinking at a normal rate, follow the 20-20-20 rule: every 20 minutes focus your gaze on an object at least 20 feet away for at least 20 seconds.
- Place your computer monitor at least an arm’s length away from your eyes and place an anti-glare film over the screen.
- Enlarge the font size of the text you read on your tablet and smart phone to minimize eye strain.
- Schedule your annual eye exam to check the health of your eyes and detect any problems in a timely manner for proactive diagnosis and treatment.
Be sure to share this information with your employees who work in front of a computer or with smart phones or tablets. It is easy to lose track of the time in front of the computer monitor. Fortunately, it is also easy to take basic measures to protect our vision and the health of our eyes.