A UK survey commissioned by NuVision Biotherapies highlights an often ignored concern in workplace health – eye injuries and vision impairment linked to occupational hazards. The study shows that 48 percent of UK employees believe their job presents a risk to their eye health; one in eight industrial workers report experiencing frequent eye injuries or strain; and 65 percent of office-based employees report symptoms of digital eye strain, including dryness, headaches, and blurred vision, often due to prolonged screen exposure.
We sat down with Andy Hill, CEO of NuVision, to discuss some of the treatment and preventative measures that can help to preserve long-term eye health in the workplace, as well as save critical NHS resources.
What are the biggest gaps in workplace eye safety today, and how can eye care professionals (ECPs) help to close them?
While employers need to meet their statutory obligations, I think there is more work to do to raise employee awareness of the risks to eye health in specific occupations. Even seemingly innocuous occupations that involve routine and prolonged exposure to computer screens can present significant risks to eye health.
ECPs have an essential role to play in highlighting these issues during routine eye care visits. They can also look at how the overall resourcing of their practice can meet this increasing demand. Professional ECP bodies play an important role in guiding and supporting their members in this area too.
How can companies like NuVision help ECPs and patients in addressing these issues?
Like other providers of eye care products and equipment, NuVision has an obligation to provide education and support to its customers and their patients. Additionally, we sponsor and support clinical trials that expand the understanding of eye conditions and inform the development of treatments. We also take part in clinical conferences and provide education to ECPs, which can offer continuing medical education credits.
How does NuVision’s treatment help with workplace-related eye injuries?
NuVision’s Omnigen uses the intrinsic properties of the amniotic membrane, which can support ocular healing and limit the presentation of inflammation. For workplace-related eye injuries where patients have damage to the surface of the eye or discomfort due to dryness, Omnigen can be placed onto the surface, similar to the way a band-aid would cover a wound, to support the restoration of a healthy ocular surface.
The Association of Optometrists (AOP) and the Association of British Dispensing Opticians (ABDO) are insured for their use of NuVision’s products in the treatment of dry eye disease in the primary care setting. We expect to see this use increase to include other ocular surface defects, which can hopefully lead to a reduction in hospital referrals.
