Eye health and work: What’s the link?

Vision impairment is an extremely common issue that affects billions. However, a recent report has claimed that millions of these people have these issues due to work.

Around 2.2 billion people across the world suffer from vision impairment or blindness, according to the International Labour Organisation (ILO). Concerningly, in the Eye Health and the World of Work report, for 13 million people, this is linked to their work.

The report claims that around 3.5 million eye injuries occur in the workplace each year. This makes up 1 per cent of all non-fatal workplace injuries.

According to ILO, if these issues aren’t dealt with, these numbers are expected to increase, especially in low- to middle-income countries. As of 2020, 143 million working-age people suffered from moderate to severe vision impairment.

These issues severely affect job prospects, with ILO revealing that workers with vision impairment are 30 per cent less likely to be employed. Meanwhile, 90 per cent of these cases are preventable or treatable, highlighting how more attention and support in this area could turn these figures around.

“The ILO stresses the importance of protecting workers’ safety and health – including their eyes. By prioritising eye health awareness and effective implementation, we can make sure workers have access to a safe and healthy working environment,” said Joaquim Pintado Nunes, ILO chief of labour administration, labour inspection and occupational safety and health.

“This ensures their overall wellbeing, reduces disparities, and leads to heightened productivity.”

ILO revealed that more women are affected by these issues than men, and the proportion of affected people increases dramatically with age.

Employers can do their part by enacting policy that addresses these issues. According to ILO, the three goals of workplace initiatives that deal with eye health should be:

1. Prevent exposure to specific hazards in each workplace.
2. Protect the existing health of workers’ eyes.
3. Provide a system to include workers’ naturally occurring sight loss in risk assessments.

Bodycare Workplace Solutions listed some strategies that can help to protect employee eyesight at work. Some of these include:

• Conduct workplace vision testing.
• Encourage communication.
• Schedule appointments.
• Encourage honest reporting.
• Provide information and education.
• Encourage regular breaks.
• Provide correct ergonomics.
• Encourage protective eyewear.
• Help to maintain a healthy lifestyle.

World Sight Day is fast approaching, being held on 12 October 2023. Ahead of this, employers should take the opportunity to address eye health in the workplace. With the significant impact these issues have on the workforce, support and education is crucial.