Chicago lawyer Howard Ankin stands firmly behind Prevent Blindness as the organization declares March to be Workplace Eye Wellness Month. Says Mr. Ankin, “I have seen the damage and disability that can be caused by blindness and I support any effort to increase eye wellness.”
The move comes on the heels of a study from the Vision Council which found that nearly 70 percent of working adults suffer from digital eyestrain. The prevalence of computers, tablets, and cell phones in the workplace has placed a growing strain on our eyes. To combat the problem, Prevent Blindness has recommended a few actions:
- Visit an eye doctor regularly to get an early detection of any possible issues.
- Place your monitor below eye level and 20 to 26 inches away from your eyes.
- Use a holder to keep documents next to your monitor. Constantly turning your head or changing your focus can exacerbate eye issues.
- Use the 20-20-20 method that’s advocated by the Vision Council. For every 20 minutes of work, take a 20 second break, and look at something that is at least 20 feet away.
- Change your monitor settings to reduce glare and reflections.
Additionally, Prevent Blindness has suggested that companies promote eye safety in dangerous work environments. The organization says the issue is especially important in industries like construction and manufacturing.
Prevent Blindness is also holding a summit June 18 to release a report on the burden and potential economic damage of vision problems in the future. The details of the report will also be shared with members of Congress on June 17 at the organization’s Eyes on Capital Hill event.
Mr. Ankin says that loss of vision can have a severe financial, professional, and emotional impact on an individual’s life. He says, “Many of my clients who have lost their sight have been unable to continue in their professions. That means they’ve had to either learn new skills or adjust to a lower quality of life.” He added that in the new digital age, our eyesight is under constant assault and he supports all efforts to improve eye wellness.
Similarly, a new study found that carpal tunnel injuries have been on a rise in conjunction with the rise of service jobs. You can view that report here.
