Almost half (48 percent) of UK employees believe their job puts their eye health at risk as experts warn that employers “underestimate” employee exposure to eye damage.
UK employers have a duty to protect employees under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974.
However, one in eight industrial workers report frequent eye injuries or strain, according to a survey commissioned by eye health company NuVision Biotherapies. The research, with 2,003 employees, also found that 65 percent of office employees have symptoms including eye dryness, headaches, and blurred vision as a result of excessive screen use.
A Freedom of Information Request for NHS data revealed that more than 57,000 emergency hospital visits were recorded for eye-related injuries in the past year. The data showed that 82,000 cases involved foreign objects entering the eye, while 201,000 patients reported eye pain when attending emergency departments.
Employer duty
Paul Kelly, head of employment law at Blacks Solicitors said: “Key legislation such as the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) regulations mandates risk assessments, while the Health and Safety (Display Screen Equipment) Regulations 1992 require employers to offer eye tests and provide corrective eyewear to screen-based employees.
“Employers who fail to meet these obligations risk legal consequences, including compensation claims for medical costs, lost earnings, and pain suffered by affected employees.”
In the case of Welsh employer Sofidel UK Limited, an employee lost an eye as a result of inadequate workplace safety measures. A court ruled that the company must pay a fine of £1million plus thousands of pounds in costs.
Reduced productivity
Single workplace incidents are not the only risk. Sachin Patel, specialist prescribing optometrist at Safarian & Simon Opticians, said: “Dry eye, often caused by digital eye strain, is a chronic condition and is often one of the leading causes of reduced productivity.
“If not treated quickly, using normal eye drops may not be enough and a consultation with a dry eye specialist could be required.”
Patel urged employers to take action and work with employees by offering advice on screen filters, for example. Without action he warned employers could “face a workforce with failing eyesight”.
Nick Higginson, CEO of Phoenix Health & Safety, said: “Workplace eye injuries are often preventable, yet many employers underestimate the risks.
“Whether it’s ensuring access to proper personal protective equipment in high-risk industries, conducting regular workplace assessments for office-based employees, or providing clear health and safety procedures, proactive measures are essential.
“Embedding a culture where employees feel empowered to raise eye health concerns and where employers take action, can significantly reduce long-term damage and improve workplace safety.”
Andy Hill, CEO of NuVision Biotherapies, said: “This new data highlights the potential risks to eye health that workers across different industries may face, and has prompted us to question whether enough is being done to protect people’s vision in the long term.
“Catching issues early is crucial for reducing problems further down the road. Not only does this preserve people’s eye health in the long term, but it can also save critical NHS resources.”
