Usa: March is workplace eye safety month

In observance of March as Workplace Eye Safety Month, the American Academy of Ophthalmology wants to alert Americans to the possibility of eye injuries in the workplace.

According to Prevent Blindness America, each working day in the United States more than 2,000 employees sustain job-related eye injuries, making workplace injury a leading cause of ocular trauma, visual loss and blindness. Of these, 10 to 20 percent will be disabling because of temporary or permanent vision loss.

Ninety percent of these injuries can be prevented with appropriate protective eyewear. "Many of the injured workers I've seen didn't think they needed to wear eye protection, or were wearing eyewear inappropriate for the job they were doing", said Academy Spokesperson Monica L. Monica. "Safety eyewear must have ANZI Z87.1 marked on the frame or lens. Those who work in construction or automotive repair are at particular risk for eye injuries, and really need to wear proper eye protection'.

As more people use computers in the workplace, complaints of eye fatigue, difficulty focusing, discomfort and dry eyes during the winter (caused by forced-air heating systems of office buildings) have also become common. "Computer screens don't damage vision", said Dr. Monica, "but you might still experience eye strain. Fortunately, rearranging your computer workstation or getting proper glasses or contact lenses can often relieve these symptoms".