Protecting your eyes outside, at work, and at home

Whether you’re outside, at work, or at home, there are steps that you can take to protect your eyes and keep them safe from damage. This can be as simple as wearing sunglasses to protect your eyes from harmful UV light or wearing eye protection like goggles to decrease the risk of eye injuries. Below are some easy tips you can follow to protect your eyes and eye health.

Protecting your eyes from injury

If you’re a keen gardener, you use tools at home, or you work in an environment where you’re at risk of chemical splashes or flying particles, it is important to wear protective eyewear to avoid injuries.

In the workplace, your employer should provide you with safety eyewear to avoid injuries from dust, chemicals, flying particles, and sources of UV radiation like welding.

At home, whether you’re gardening or pursuing a DIY project, it is vital that you protect your eyes from flying debris, chemicals, and fine particles. Wearing safety goggles is important to prevent particles from damaging your eyes.

Protective eyewear/safety glasses are available in all shapes and sizes and for all types of environments. Non-prescription safety eyewear can be purchased from a range of stores such as Bunnings and Mitre 10. Prescription safety glasses are available from most optometrists and you can speak to your eyecare practitioner about what will suit you best.

Normal glasses do not sufficiently protect your eyes from injury, so if you think there may be a risk, err on the side of caution and wear the right protection.

Always look for medical assistance if you have injured your eye in any way.

Looking after your eyes when using computers or digital devices

Although computer screens or digital devices won’t cause eye damage, staring at a screen for too long can cause discomfort for your eyes. The discomfort is caused by the unique characteristics and high visual demands of these devices when used for prolonged periods.

Symptoms of eye strain can include:

• Tired eyes.
• Blurred vision.
• Dry eyes.
• Headaches.

To avoid eye strain, it is a good idea to take breaks from looking at your screen. A helpful tip to take a break from your screen is the 20-20-20 rule: take a 20 second break every 20 minutes and look at something 20 feet (6m) away.

Sitting at an arm’s length distance away from the computer screen and avoiding glare on your screen can also make it more comfortable for your eyes when working in an office environment.

Uncorrected vision problems such as farsightedness, astigmatism (irregular shape of the cornea), or insufficient eye focusing when looking at a computer or digital devices can also cause eye strain. Having an eye test every two to three years is highly recommended for all people, however, speak to your optometrist if you experience any these symptoms.

With the increased use of computers and digital devices, our eyes are exposed to a large quantity of blue light emitted from the screens of these devices, from our flatscreen TVs to other light sources such as LED light bulbs.  

Blue light can naturally be found in daylight, ranging from 390 to 500 nm on the visible light spectrum. Normal exposure to blue light is healthy as it helps the production of melatonin, a hormone produced in the brain which helps us sleep at night. However, overexposure to blue light can cause eye strain and eye fatigue. 

Most spectacle lens companies have blue light lens coatings you can add to your prescription glasses to reduce the amount of blue light entering the eye. These lens coatings work by blocking or neutralising certain wavelengths of blue light, reducing glare and creating more comfortable vision. Speak to your optometrist about your needs and what is best for you. 

Protecting your eyes from UV radiation

When outside, your eyes are exposed to UV light from the sun which can negatively affect your eye health. Exposure to harmful UV light can increase the risk of developing macular degeneration or cataracts.

Wearing a hat can dramatically reduce exposure of UV to your eyes, and sunglasses can be an excellent way of preventing damage and protecting your eyes from harmful sun rays. When choosing a pair of sunglasses, it’s important to ensure that they have adequate UV protection. Your sunglasses should comply with the Australian Standard, and they should have the lens category of 2, 3, or 4 to provide a good level of protection from the sun. Most prescription sunglasses have good UV protection, and you can speak to your optometrist about your options to best protect your eyes from the sun.

For more information

• Find out more about UV light and protecting your eyes from the sun.
• Always speak to your GP and eye care professional about the best treatment options for you.

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