When you are at work, you want to be able to see your best. This doesn’t just help you maintain your focus on the task at hand, but can also be imperative in terms of safety, especially when using certain types of equipment. Looking after your eyes doesn’t just help within the workplace, it also transcends to the other aspects of your life too. If you manage a team or employ staff, you may also want to give due consideration to their eye health, to keep them working at their maximum potential, and even potentially avoid staff absence due to eye health related problems.
Swollen Eyes
Swollen eyes can be caused by a number of varying factors, including styes, allergies, fluid retention, and even prolonged crying. When wondering about how to treat swollen red eyes, this can be accomplished by looking after your own mental and physical health, including hygiene. For members of your team, it can be a good idea to have an open door policy where they can discuss issues relating to their wellbeing. Keeping saline solutions, as well as cool compresses, within your workplace first aid kit can also be incredibly beneficial, as this can reduce symptoms.
Eye Strain
Eye strain or fatigue can cause an intense burning feeling, as well as itching. Scratching or rubbing at the eyes can only make these problems worse. To combat eye strain, it is important to make sure that the place of work is well lit, but that any lights are not too harsh. Too little or too much light can affect the eyes, so it is important that light sources do not shine directly into you or your team’s eyes. This can include installing blinds in windows, which can be altered dependent on the strength of the sun, and its position. An air filter and humidifier may also help to prevent the correlating problems of dust and debris, alongside dry eyes.
Screen Usage
Spending a long time at a desk, using computers and other screens, can also hurt the eyes, and even lead to migraines. Using the 20-20-20 rule, where every 20 minutes you look at something 20 feet away for 20 seconds, can help your eyes to feel more relaxed and comfortable. On top of this, having a good break every hour or so can also go a long way towards preventing these problems from occurring. Screen brightness can also make a big difference. You need to be able to read what is in front of you, but without glaring lights. Those who have glasses should also make sure these are worn for the duration of any work at a computer.
By managing you and your team’s eye health, as part of the workday, you can help the office become a nicer place to be. When staff members feel like they are permitted to take the necessary breaks, and have access to items that will better their eye health, they may be less likely to suffer from the above problems.
