What You See is What You Get: Visual Acuity & Eye Health Matter

Taking care of your eyes can be as important as eating well and exercising regularly. Vision health can increase daily safety. Employees should ideally undergo a comprehensive dilated eye exam to detect common vision problems and eye diseases. It is the best way to determine if you need glasses or contacts, or if you have early-stage eye diseases. Some industries, such as those operating under the Department of Transportation (DOT) , have mandated visual acuity tests, but most industries do not.

Eye diseases and vision problems cost the U.S. economy over $35 million dollars in lost productivity according to the Center for disease Control and Prevention.

Regular dilated eye examinations can detect common eye problems, but you cannot be certain that your employees receive these examinations, which makes adding a Visual Acuity Test Occupational Health Program and including them in your pre-employment screening.

There are many eye conditions can cause vision impairment or even blindness.

• Cataracts are a condition that causes the eyes to become cloudy.
• Retinopathy brought on by diabetes, which damages the retina's blood vessels.
• Glaucoma is a condition characterized by optic nerve damage and elevated intraocular pressure.
• Age-related macular degeneration, which gradually impairs central vision.

Other eye conditions, such as refractive errors, which occur when the eye's shape does not correctly bend light, are common problems that can be treated easily with glasses, contact lenses, or laser surgery.

Eleven million Americans aged 12 and older could benefit from corrective lenses or, if necessary, eye surgery to improve their vision.

There are several ways everyone can protect their eyesight

• Always wear employer or industry mandated Personal Protection Equipment (PPE)
• Consume an abundance of dark leafy greens
• Maintain a healthy weight
• Don’t smoke
• Protect your eyes when performing dangerous tasks at home
• Wear sunglasses with UV protection

There are 2000 eye injuries a day, putting the injured party at risk and increasing their employer’s healthcare costs.

Proper eye care may benefit your overall health. People with vision problems are more likely to suffer from diabetes, hearing loss, heart disease, high blood pressure, lower back pain, and strokes, as well as an increased risk for falls, injuries, and depression.

54.2 percent of blind older adults and 41.7% of those with impaired vision rate their overall health as fair or poor. Only 21.5% of elderly Americans without vision problems reported fair to poor health.

Eye injuries make up the majority of workplace injuries.  By adding visual acuity testing to your Occupational Health and Wellness Program you can protect both your jobsite and your employees by making sure each employee is visually able to perform their assigned task.