Vision and occupational health and safety

Looking after your eyes at work Visual comfort Eye protection

Comfortable vision Regular visual breaks when working Work station set up Treatment of any focusing problems Correction of refractive error

Computer work station set up Screen should be easy to focus on Monitor height –top of screen below eye level –bottom of screen can be read without leaning forward

To reduce screen glare Place monitor to the side of light source (not underneath) Tilt screen Anti glare cover Adjust brightness, contrast (eg dark characters on a light background) Anti-reflective coating if you wear glasses

Visual symptoms include Headaches Sore, tired eyes Watery or dry eyes Blurred vision

Dry Eye Inadequate tear cover on cornea Common in computer users (due to less blinking) Common in air conditioned environments Tear supplements can be used

Focusing problems Unable to relax eyes properly Lack of convergence (turning eyes in) Low level of accommodation (near focusing) Refractive errors

Treatment for focusing problems Glasses or contact lenses Focusing exercise regime may help –Often just over a short time –‘Kick start’ the visual system –Once successful, exercises are no longer needed

Diagram of an eye

Normal focus

Short sightedness (Myopia) Distance vision blurry, near vision usually ok Short sighted focus Short sighted correction

Long sightedness (Hyperopia) Difficulty seeing clearly and comfortably up close Long sighted focus Long sighted correction

Astigmatism The eye is shaped more like a football than a basketball Focusing error that causes blur in one direction

Presbyopia Begins from age 40 onwards Small print is clearer if held further away The lens inside the eye is less flexible Glasses for reading restore close vision

Eye protection is needed for the following... Chemicals Radiation –UV –Blue light –Infra red Foreign bodies

Safety spectacles Wrap around to protect from splashes or sprays Can get with prescription Hardened glass protects against airborne objects Prescription spectacles can’t be worn in lieu of safety glasses

Protection in laboratories Splash goggles Full face shields Contact lenses not recommended if working in environments with chemical vapours

UV Radiation Sunlight exposure in outdoor work Also emitted by –lasers, welding, black lights –photocopiers and laser printers Short term exposure causes inflammation Long term exposure can cause cataracts and macular degeneration Sunglasses should be worn if working outdoors

Cataract Cloudiness in lens of eye Usually gradual loss of vision Common after 60 May require surgery

Other forms of dangerous light Blue light –Prolonged exposure to intense sources can cause damage Infra red –From sunlight and some halogen lamps –Can cause burns Pulsed light –Can cause epileptic seizures

Foreign body Needs to be removed as soon as possible

Your eyes need to be examined regularly

Optometrists Provide a comprehensive visual examination Detect and diagnose eye health problems Prescribe and supply glasses and contact lenses when required Diagnose and treat eye coordination and focussing problems

Optometrists Are university educated and undertake continuing professional education No referral is required Eye tests attract a medicare rebate

To find an optometrist Optometrists Association Australia Yellow Pages