As a business owner or HR manager, your wellness policy already covers mental health, gym memberships, and nutrition counseling. But when was the last time you thought about eye health? In a work environment dominated by screens, it’s time for employers and HR professionals to give vision care the attention it deserves.
Eye health directly affects employee productivity, well-being, and long-term health, and including it in your wellness policy is a smart, forward-looking move for both your team and your bottom line. By incorporating eye health into your wellness plan from day one, your business can enjoy lower healthcare costs, fewer sick days, and a more engaged team. Here’s why you can’t afford to skip it, and how you can get started right now.
The Importance of Eye Health in the Workplace
Eye health is often overlooked because issues tend to develop gradually, and employees may not notice that declining vision is slowing them down or impacting their focus. And, when left unaddressed, it can result in headaches, fatigue, and a noticeable dip in productivity.
The challenge, however, is that almost 80% of Canadian workers spend their entire work day using computers. And that number is only rising. From replying to emails to attending Zoom meetings and reviewing spreadsheets, modern work puts a constant strain on the eyes.
That’s why it’s worth making vision care a core part of your wellness offering. Employees who can see clearly and comfortably are better equipped to perform their roles efficiently and feel good while doing it.
The Impact of Screen Time and Blue Light Exposure
You already know screen time is up, but what you might not realize is just how much. In 2024, Canadians spent an average of 10 hours per day on screens. This level of screen time has become a real health concern, with extended exposure to digital screens linked to Digital Eye Strain (DES), also called Computer Vision Syndrome. Symptoms of DES can include dry eyes, blurred vision, and even neck and shoulder pain.
On the other hand, blue light, the high-energy visible light emitted from screens, is another concerning factor. While research is ongoing, some studies suggest blue light can disrupt sleep patterns and contribute to eye fatigue. This is particularly relevant for remote or hybrid teams whose screen usage may extend well beyond traditional hours.
Incorporating strategies to reduce screen time and manage blue light exposure can make a noticeable difference in how your employees feel at the end of the day.
The Effects of Eye Health on Productivity and Well-Being
Healthy employees are productive employees, and eye health plays a bigger role in workplace performance than you might think. However, nearly 65% of Canadian workers experience digital eye strain due to prolonged screen use. Symptoms like dry eyes, headaches, and blurred vision can lead to decreased focus, higher error rates, and even increased absenteeism.
Meanwhile, poor vision and untreated eye conditions continue to carry a big price tag in Canada. In fact, vision loss costs the country $15.6 billion each year—$9.5 billion in direct health-care spending and $4.3 billion in lost productivity.
When you include the $6.1 billion in indirect costs, like caregiving, lost well-being, and other impacts, the total societal burden jumps to nearly $33 billion. A cost that employers share through group benefits and reduced workforce output.
By adding vision care to your Human Resources strategy, you tackle the root of these costs: early detection and treatment. That means fewer medical claims, less time off, and a team that feels you’ve invested in their whole health, not just hard costs.
Tips for Incorporating Eye Health into Your Wellness Policy
The good news is that supporting eye health doesn’t require a major overhaul. Small, thoughtful changes can go a long way in creating a healthier work environment. Here are straightforward, budget-friendly steps you can add to your next policy update:
Offer Vision Care Benefits
Start by including vision coverage in your health plan. This can cover annual eye exams, prescription lenses, and specialty eyewear like blue-light-filtering glasses. It’s a relatively low-cost benefit that shows you’re paying attention to what your team really needs.
Offering benefits that include glasses, can help detect issues early, ensure employees are using the correct prescription, and reduce strain-related fatigue.
Provide Quality Equipment
Employees spend a significant chunk of their day looking at screens, so make sure those screens are up to the task. Encourage upgrades to larger monitors, anti-glare screens, or devices with adjustable brightness and contrast settings.
Using the right equipment can reduce eye strain and improve comfort, particularly during long work sessions. It also signals that your company values a healthy work environment.
Install Proper Lighting
Lighting not only affects ambiance, but it also directly impacts visual comfort. Poor lighting can force the eyes to work harder, leading to fatigue and tension.
Natural light is best, so maximize window use when possible. Where artificial lighting is necessary, choose options that minimize glare and reduce contrast with screen light. Also, consider positioning monitors to avoid reflections and shadows that can contribute to discomfort.
Set Up Ergonomic Workstations
Eye health and ergonomics go hand in hand. Position monitors at arm’s length, with the top of the screen at or just below eye level. This will promote a natural posture and reduce the need for eye and neck adjustments.
Pro tip: Encourage the 20-20-20 rule: every 20 minutes, look at something 20 feet away for 20 seconds. It’s a simple habit that gives eyes a much-needed break throughout the day.
Raise Awareness
Sometimes, all it takes is a little education. So, share resources on eye health during wellness weeks or in your internal newsletters. Also, consider bringing in an optometrist for a lunch-and-learn session or creating posters that encourage eye-friendly habits.
When employees understand the why behind the what, they’re more likely to take proactive steps themselves, and that builds a culture of health from the inside out.
Conclusion
Workplace wellness is improving year on year, and it’s about time eye health joined the trend. By incorporating vision care into your wellness policy, you’re not just protecting your employees’ eyes – you’re also investing in their productivity, satisfaction, and long-term well-being.
Start small with awareness campaigns or ergonomic adjustments, and consider expanding to include vision benefits. By taking these steps, you’ll position your company as a forward-thinking employer that values holistic employee health.
