How regular eye exams can supercharge a person’s workday
Having vision troubles at work? Here’s why that might be — and how correcting them can help a person’s productivity.
Workers of all types face more daily strain on their eyes than ever before. Some spend all day in front of digital screens, like computers and smartphones. Others sit hunched over desks or deal with harsh office lighting.
All those things — and more — can affect a person’s vision. Seeing an eye care provider and getting regular eye exams can help. They can catch vision issues early. They can also suggest ways to protect a person's vision during the workday.
Learn why it’s good to get regular eye exams, whether you work from home or in an office. It can help you be more productive.
Need new glasses for the office? In 3 easy steps, you could have a new pair on the way. Check your vision coverage, select your favorite frames, then check out. Done!
What workday situations can harm a person’s vision?
There are more than a few ways the workplace can affect a person’s vision. Here are some potential examples:1
1. Personal factors
- Dehydration. Not drinking enough water can lead to dry eyes on the job. That’s a common issue for those who get a lot of digital screen time.
- Lack of sleep. Not getting enough sleep can affect the eyes’ tear production. That can lead to digital eye strain and discomfort.
- Making the wrong food choices. Going out for fast food on a regular basis? A diet lacking in essential nutrients can affect eye health. Over time, that can make it harder for the eyes to work their best.
- Stress. If a person works a stressful job, it can make their eyes less able to make tears. Their eyes will make more tears when a person is relaxed and calm.
2. A person’s workspace
- Wrong screen height or distance. Screens that are too high, too low or too close can force the eyes and neck into unnatural positions. That can cause the eyes discomfort and strain.
For example, a person will want to put their computer screen 4 or 5 inches below eye level. They’ll also want it to be 20 to 28 inches from their eyes.2
- Poor posture. Sitting in an uncomfortable position can lead to neck and back pain. Both types of pain can be symptoms of digital eye strain.3
3. Work lighting
- Harsh overhead lighting. If the light in a person’s office is too bright or harsh, the glare from it can make it hard for the eyes to adjust. That can lead to eye strain.
That can be solved as easily as using blinds or drapes on office windows. Another option: replacing desk lights with lower-watt bulbs.3 - Screen brightness. Computer screen making the eyes water? If it’s too bright, it can increase glare and make it harder for the eyes to focus. That can also cause eye discomfort and fatigue.
Looking to go glasses- and contacts-free?
LASIK surgery can help make it happen. UnitedHealthcare members get up to 35% off laser vision correction services.
What is a comprehensive eye exam, and how can it help workers?
If a person is experiencing any of these symptoms at the office, a visit to their eye care provider can help. For one, they can find the root cause of a person’s vision issue. They can also offer treatment options.
A good place to start is a thorough exam of a person’s eye health and vision. That’s called a comprehensive eye exam. It includes a series of tests to learn about various aspects of a person’s eyes, such as:4
- Visual acuity. That’s a test of how well a person can see at different distances.
Refraction. That figures out what prescription a person may need to correct any refractive errors. Those could include:
-Nearsightedness (myopia) or having trouble seeing objects at a distance
-Farsightedness (hyperopia) or having trouble seeing objects nearby
-Astigmatism or having trouble seeing objects both near and far away- Eye movement and coordination. These check how well a person’s eyes work together and move together.
- Pupil response. This evaluates how well a person’s pupils react to light.
- Eye pressure. This measures the pressure inside a person’s eyes to check for glaucoma. That’s a group of eye diseases that damage the optic nerve, which connects the eye to the brain.
- Retinal exam. The eye care provider looks in the back of the eyes to check for any signs of disease or damage.
This type of eye exam can also help a person find (and manage) a wide range of eye conditions, including:5
- Age-related macular degeneration. As a person ages, the light-sensitive tissue in the eye can begin to break down. That can cause vision issues.
- Cataracts. These can cause clouding of the lenses. They’re the leading cause of vision loss in the U.S.
- Diabetic retinopathy. This is when the tiny blood vessels in the back of the eye become damaged. It’s the leading cause of blindness for adults in America.
- Glaucoma (see above).
Early detection is crucial for effective treatment. It can stop these conditions from getting worse and possibly affect a person’s work life.
What other ways can regular eye exams help during a person’s workday?
- Treat digital eye strain. An eye care provider can address issues such as dry eyes and blurred vision. That can help lessen a worker’s discomfort while they’re in front of a screen. This can lead to better focus and increased efficiency.
- Improve productivity. When an eye care provider can treat vision issues, workers can maintain better focus and avoid distractions. That can lead to higher productivity and fewer workdays missed due to eye-related discomfort.
- Help clear things up. Let’s say an eye care provider catches undetected farsightedness in a person’s eyes. Prescription glasses will help them see better at work and do a better job.
How can a person get regular eye exams?
Anyone can see an eye care provider. But if a person has vision insurance, they can save on things like routine exams, plus glasses and contact lenses. For example, UnitedHealthcare Vision members can access benefits like routine eye exams, and may only have to pay a copay for a fully covered exam.
Stay on top of your eye health in and outside of the office with a UnitedHealthcare Vision Network provider. Search now.
Sources:
- Protecting your vision in the workplace New England College of Optometry, March 2025
- Computer vision syndrome American Optometric Association
- Eye strain Cleveland Clinic, last reviewed July 2023
- Comprehensive eye exams American Optometric Association
- Why eye exams are important Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, May 2024
