Whether you’re checking a tablet out in the field or staring at spreadsheets in the office, your eyes are working overtime.

Regardless of your where you work, and what industry you work in, your eyes are likely facing a two-pronged attack: environmental irritants and digital strain.

At Gulf & Ranges Optometrists, we’re seeing a rise in what we call the “Dust and Digital” dilemma.

Dealing with the environment can be brutal on your eyes, especially if you work in the agriculture, mining, or construction sectors. Jobs in these areas mean you are constantly exposed to:

UV EXPOSURE:
Even on overcast days, Australia’s UV levels are high which can lead to long-term issues like pterygiums or cataracts.

PARTICULATES:
Dust and wind cause dry eye syndrome which makes your eyes feel “gritty” and tired before the day is even half over.

INDOOR POLLUTANTS:
You don’t need to be outdoors to experience irritated eyes. Dust, pet dander and mould inside your home or business premises can also cause your eyes to become red, itchy and irritated. Combine that with the dry air from an air-conditioner (or heater) and this can exacerbate dry eye symptoms.

Even traditional “outdoors” jobs make use of digital technology and devices. Farmers check markets on smartphones; site managers use tablets for blueprints.

Digital devices add extra strain on your eyes due to their Blue Light and the impact of reading and looking at these devices, as we tend to blink less, which means our eyes dry out more quickly.

Digital eye strain symptoms include:

• Blurred vision and headaches.
• Dry, irritated eyes
• Difficulty focusing
• Increased sensitivity to light.

And you may experience these symptoms after only two hours of screen time.

We recommend:
1. WRAP-AROUND SAFETY GLASSES:
Prescription safety glasses that help reduce dust and other grit reaching your eyes and protecting them from flying debris.

2. THE 20-20-20 RULE:
A simple eye exercise that you can do to help prevent eye strain. Every 20 minutes, look 20 feet away (about 6 metres) for 20 seconds to reset your focus when spending time on digital devices.

3. SPECIALISED COATINGS:
Anti-reflective and blue-light filtering lenses can make a lot of difference for those days you are going to spend a lot of time in front of screens.

4. USING DIFFERENT DEVICES:
Smartphones are the leading cause of digital eye strain, due to the short viewing distance when using one, the small type size and high pixel density, increased brightness of the device compared to the light in the room, and the frequent and high duration use of the phone.

Not all dust and digital eye dilemmas can be resolved with breaks, adjustments to settings and safety glasses, it’s important to see your optometrist if you are experiencing:

• Persistent blurry vision
• Eye redness or pain
• Constant dryness or watery eyes
• Headaches that follow screen time
• Difficulty focusing at various distances.