With digital devices becoming critical components to almost every work environment, employees spend more time on screens than ever before. Whether at the office or working from home, devices such as laptops, computer monitors, tablets and smartphones constantly expose employees to blue light.
Many employees look to their leadership team to find solutions from the potential risks of excessive screen time. According to BMJ Open Ophthalmology, too much screen time may result in several complications, including:
- Dry eye symptoms
- Headaches
- Melatonin suppression and impacted sleep patterns
- Blurred vision
All these symptoms can impact an employee’s productivity and day to day performance. Fortunately, there are proactive measures employers can take to manage blue light exposure in the workplace and create a positive and eye-friendly work environment.
What is Blue Light?
The first step to effectively reducing blue light exposure is understanding exactly what blue light is. Blue light is a high-energy light that’s emitted from the sun and digital screens. While the sun is our largest source of blue light, digital screens give off a constant source of blue light that’s often positioned closely to our eyes.
Blue light suppresses the release of melatonin in the brain. Because melatonin helps a person feel tired, overexposure to blue light can make it difficult to fall asleep. Poor sleep then results in impacted work performance, mood and overall well-being.
How to Protect Employees from Blue Light
Because digital screens are an essential tool for completing daily responsibilities, limiting screen time during work hours isn’t realistic. Alternatively, there are several proactive measures companies can take to keep their employees protected from blue light.
1. Install Blue Light Screen Protectors on Company Devices
Providing employees with gear such as blue light glasses and blue light screen protectors can help reduce their exposure to blue light while they work. However, because people can misplace, break, or forget blue light glasses, they may not be the most effective solution for managing exposure. Alternatively, applying Eyesafe® Blue Light Screen Filters on employee laptops, computer monitors, tablets and smartphones will equip your team with a constant, reliable solution for blue light management.
2. Practice the 20-20-20 Rule
With eight hours being the norm for a typical workday, taking breaks from digital screens is critical. Companies should encourage their employees to practice the 20-20-20 rule: every 20 minutes, employees look at an object that’s 20 feet away for 20 seconds. This will provide employees with a much-needed break from their digital screens, help relax their eyes and improve fatigue.
3. Adjust Computer Monitor Brightness
If employees are working at night or in a dark room, they should adjust their monitor’s brightness to a lower intensity. Because many users don’t utilize these controls and usually leave the monitor’s brightness intensity at a high level, employers should remind employees to follow this step while working in darker environments.
4. Adjust Monitor Height and Screen Distance
Many modern monitors are adjustable, allowing the user to create an ergonomic work setup. Positioning the monitor to eye-level can prevent hunching and poor posture.
5. Encourage Eye Safety Awareness
With the workday requiring excessive screen time, it’s important to remind employees of the ways they can care for their eyes. Educate your team about the potential risks of blue light and encourage everyone to make changes to their work environment to promote better eye health and comfort. You can also schedule customized webinars with Eyesafe to learn more about the actions your company can take to encourage an eye friendly work environment.
Companies can improve the workplace by taking proactive steps to reduce blue light exposure, making ergonomic adjustments, and reminding employees to take frequent breaks. Protect your employees from blue light and learn more about Eyesafe® Filters for Business here.
About Eyesafe
Eyesafe Inc. is the worldwide supplier of advanced blue light mitigating technology, solutions, and standards. With pioneering products and services, in collaboration with healthcare, Eyesafe is shaping the future of consumer electronics. Eyesafe® Standards, Eyesafe® Technology, and the associated intellectual property portfolio is developed by a world-class team of eye doctors, engineers, and scientists with decades of experience in electronics, display materials, light management, optometry, and ophthalmology. The Eyesafe brand is trusted by consumers and integrated in millions of digital devices from Dell, HP, Lenovo, ZAGG and others. Eyesafe was recently ranked #5 in the computer hardware category in the Inc. 5000 Fastest-Growing Private Companies in America. Learn more at eyesafe.com.
Media Contact:
Arick Wierson
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