What is the best work environment you can provide to your employees? Opinions are divided depending on your industry sector and the option to work remotely. A lot of computing and tech companies have moved to virtual offices during the pandemic and chosen not to look back. But, for most businesses, post-pandemic offices will need to accommodate a partial or full team while keeping everyone safe on site. As such, the choice of commercial space will play a crucial role in defining a safe work environment. Yet, there is more to safety than meets the eye. Covid-19 safety focuses on reducing germ spreading and spatial contamination. But at an age where computer technology drives employee performance, it’s also worth considering how screen time can affect eye health.
Can prolonged screen time cause drooping eyelids?
The average workday lasts between 8 and 12 hours for most office employees. Other professionals, such as doctors, for instance, may need to work overtime frequently to support their patients. As a result, people are likely to spend several hours looking at a screen. Prolonged screen-based work can lead to eyelid fatigue, causing drooping lids. The condition is often linked to muscular weakness, which can develop when you stare at a screen for a long time without blinking. The introduction of frequent screen breaks can help prevent issues. However, if, despite regular breaks, you find individuals still complaining about low eyelids, there may be other factors to consider. If the screen light is too bright, the body could try to protect itself through the eyelids. Additionally, a condition of the eyelid muscles could also be aggravated by the lack of blinking. While the condition is treatable with ptosis eyedrops, you want to make sure your work policy includes reminders for your staff to get their eyes checked. Existing conditions could be made worse through their work.
Does screen time cause eye strain?
Eye strain is an often misunderstood condition that combines fatigue, redness, and even headaches. Not everyone will experience all symptoms. Someone could feel tiredness in their eyes while working on a screen, while another employee could experience a migraine. However, more often than not, both issues are linked to eye strain. You can provide protective measures to reduce eye strain, such as encouraging your team to use blue light filters. You can also provide a health budget to ensure staff can purchase screen glasses if they need them.
Can computer work damage eyesight?
As mentioned, eye strain is a form of fatigue that targets your eyes. Prolonged exposure to screens can affect your eyesight. However, the damage is not permanent. Individuals are unlikely to lose vision through computer work. Yet, fatigue can affect how the eyes adjust to distance and light. Frequent breaks and eye care can help eyes rest and regain their vision. It is important to note that resting and taking time off screen will not correct existing eyesight problems, such as shortsightedness.
Managing eye health is a crucial responsibility for businesses. Staff training and office policies can ensure everybody understands the importance of proper eye care when working with screens. From blue light protection to taking regular breaks, many eye health complaints can be prevented effectively.
