DID YOU KNOW? More than 70% of the country’s workforce requires some form of vision correction. Additionally, 143 million adults wear some type of prescription eyewear. With numbers like that, it is likely that many in your workforce may need some type of corrective vision care in their lifetimes. If your employees can’t remember the last time they had an eye exam, now is a good time to encourage them to get back on track.
National Eye Exam Month, happening each August, is aimed at early detection of vision problems, as well as the detection of certain diseases. In fact, eye exams can detect many health issues, including glaucoma, high blood pressure and diabetes.
Getting a regular eye exam is the best way to catch problems early, ensure you are using the right prescription lenses, and keep your eyes in great shape. Even if you think all is well, an eye exam is something you shouldn’t be putting off. Here’s why:
- Early Detection. An eye exam is a great way to catch vision problems or other health issues early. It’s a great way to find potential problems while they are typically at their most treatable.
- Overall Heath. Your eyes can reveal more about you than just whether you may need corrective lenses. Exams can detect risks of other health concerns like diabetes, hypertension and even high cholesterol.
- The Right (or Wrong) Glasses. Even if you currently wear prescription glasses, your eyes can change over time, making those lenses less effective at correcting your vision. As people age, it’s very common for their vision to continue to change — so it’s important to check up and keep your prescriptions up to date.
- Successful Employees. Including vision testing for current employees and as part of pre-employment screenings is a great way to ensure that candidates and employees can perform their duties to the best of their ability.
- Improve Workplace Performance. Proper vision, including the use of visual aids for those who have impairments, can help to reduce fatigue, help eliminate accidents at work, and improve overall performance.
Mercy Urgent Care can help your company implement a vision screening program that not only helps boost employee performance and safety, but can also help to reduce workers’ compensation risks, as well.
Contact Mercy Occupational Medicine regarding vision screening at 828.274.6707 or by emailing mom@mercyurgentcare.org.
Source: OSHA, Jobson Research
