World Sight Day 2023: Love Your Eye at Work

Discover World Sight Day

World Sight Day is an annual awareness day observed every second Thursday of October. It serves as a global platform to draw attention to blindness, vision impairment, and the importance of eye care. Together, let's illuminate the significance of vision and its profound impact on our daily lives.

Understanding the Current State of Eye Health in Malaysia

In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic and the subsequent Movement Control Order (MCO), Malaysians have found themselves spending an unprecedented amount of time in front of digital screens. Remote work, online learning, and limited recreational opportunities have led to a surge in the use of smartphones, computers, and tablets. Unfortunately, this prolonged screen exposure has given rise to a concerning issue – digital eye strain. Many Malaysians have reported experiencing symptoms like eye fatigue, dryness, blurred vision, and headaches due to extended screen time.

According to Mohd Zaki Awg Isa (2022), thousands of Malaysian workers in the manufacturing industry have suffered ocular injuries on the job, resulting in visual impairment, and in severe cases, even blindness. These injuries not only impact their work efficiency but also jeopardize their job security. Inadequate safety measures and the absence of proper eye protection equipment in the workplace are the primary contributors to these injuries. Among surveyed participants, the most commonly reported vision-related problems included blurred vision (55.4%), difficulty reading small text (38%), visual fatigue (36.7%), dry eyes (34.4%), eye itching (33.4%), visual headaches (27.4%), and double vision (17.1%).

5 Crucial Facts About Eye Health in the Workplace

1.	Enhanced Vision Boosts Work Performance: Good vision is closely linked to work performance. Did you know that wearing prescription glasses can increase productivity? Optimal vision allows us to perform tasks with greater precision and efficiency.
2.	Safety Eyewear Saves Sight: Many workplace eye injuries can be prevented by wearing appropriate safety eyewear. The use of suitable protective eyewear is pivotal in reducing workplace eye injuries.
3.	Workplace Eye Injuries are a Significant Risk: Eye injuries at work pose a grave threat to employees, emphasizing the importance of preventive measures and safety protocols.
4.	Manage Screen Time Effectively: Prolonged use of digital screens can negatively impact individuals of all age groups, potentially diminishing productivity. Hence, it is vital to promote balanced screen time practices.
5.	Preventive Eye Care Matters: The majority of cases of vision loss are preventable or manageable with early intervention or treatment. Regular eye examinations are of critical significance.

Source Credit To: World Sight Day

5 Ways to Alleviate Digital Eye Strain

1.	Follow the 20-20-20 Rule: 1.The 20-20-20 rule is a straightforward yet highly effective technique to reduce eye strain. For every 20 minutes of screen time, take a 20-second break and focus on something at least 20 feet away. This brief pause allows your eye muscles to relax and readjust, preventing strain from continuous screen use.
2.	Adjust Screen Settings: Customize your screen settings to reduce eye strain. Increase text size and contrast for easier reading. Adjust the screen's brightness and color temperature to match your comfort level. Warmer, softer tones are often gentler on the eyes than harsh, blue light.
3.	Blink Regularly: We tend to blink less frequently when staring at screens, leading to dry eyes and discomfort. Make a conscious effort to blink regularly to keep your eyes moist and comfortable. You can also use artificial tears to lubricate your eyes if necessary.
4.	Take Breaks and Stretch: In addition to the 20-20-20 rule, take short breaks to stand up, stretch, and move around. This helps improve circulation and reduces overall fatigue, including eye strain.
5.	Routine Eye Exams: Regular eye check-ups are essential, even if you don't have apparent vision issues. Eye exams can detect underlying problems and ensure your prescription is up-to-date, allowing for clearer and more comfortable vision.

Source Credit To:World Sight Day2

References:

Isa, M. Z. A. (2022). Vision problems and eye occupational safety and health among manufacturing workers in Selangor, Malaysia, [Research Gate].
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/338833621_Vision_problems_and_eye_occupational_safety_and_health_among_manufacturing_workers_in_Selangor_Malaysia
2 World Sight Day. (2023). WORLD SIGHT DAY 2023, [The International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness].
https://www.iapb.org/world-sight-day/toolkits-and-resources/#Workplace