Taking a break from work isn't enough to provide relief for strained eyes; employees also need to put down the phone and walk away from the computer.
You're reading this article on a computer screen, or maybe a phone screen. Whichever it is, how long has it been since you took a break and gave your eyes a rest? Or, maybe you ARE taking a break from work, and this is how you've decided to spend the time?
Eye strain can be a huge hindrance on productivity–both yours and your employees. Yet not enough employers are including this when they consider their wellness programs, according to a Transitions Optical's recent Workplace Wellness Survey, which find that fewer than a third of employers are encouraging regular breaks that would allow employees to rest their eyes as well as their minds.
Related: Don't let vision problems impact employee productivity
Even among those who do offer breaks, employees aren't necessarily using them in a way that allows their eyes to rest: 65 percent of study respondents reported using that time to text, while 61 percent were checking email and 52 percent looking at social media.
According to the study, this oversight of proper eye care has led to 80 percent of employees experiencing negative symptoms from looking at a screen all day, including eye strain, headaches and pain in the back, neck or shoulders.
(Source: Transitions Optical)"Today's workforce is savvier than ever when it comes to overall health and wellness, and they know protecting their eyes is crucial—especially as screen usage continues to increase," says Transitions Optical's Drew Smith. "Employers can—and should—take simple measures to implement wellness programs in their offices, such as encouraging their employees to take breaks to rest their eyes. In addition, offering a vision benefits plan that covers eyewear options to correct common visual problems, and offering ongoing education about sight-enhancing eyeglass lens options, are all steps to address the needs of today's employees."
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Emily Payne
Emily Payne is director, content analytics for ALM's Business & Finance Markets and former managing editor for BenefitsPRO. A Wisconsin native, she has spent the past decade writing and editing for various athletic and fitness publications. She holds an English degree and Business certificate from the University of Wisconsin.
