Ageing Workforce & Eye Protection

As years have passed by, the average age of workers in the United States is rising. According to the data provided by the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics, one out of every five people currently employed is over the age of 55. And the numbers are expected to rise over the years! 

The effects of aging on workers can be significant in the workplace, particularly in settings such as factories and warehouses. As people get older, they may notice that they are losing some of their visual acuity, which can have an effect on their well-being and safety in the workplace. Adults who are over the age of 40 have an increased likelihood of developing eye and vision problems, such as glaucoma, macular degeneration, and dry eye syndrome, according to the American Optometric Association (AOA). These conditions can also cause eyestrain. And, having impaired vision can make it extremely difficult to work in a safe environment.

Older workers bring years of experience and wisdom to their workplaces, and they play an essential role as mentors to younger workers or to employees who have recently been assigned new responsibilities. In light of the incredible value that older workers bring to an organization, their health and safety must be supported to guarantee that a workforce reaches its full potential. Therefore, it is necessary to put into practice safety strategies for personal protective equipment to meet the requirements of an ageing workforce and to maximize the efficiency of workers.

No matter what the age of the workforce is, the person must wear good-quality safety glasses. And as the vision of a person deteriorates with age, the stability of hands also starts fading. So, in such cases, the risks of accidents arise. Wearing proper safety glasses can help in avoiding such situations!

The Working Environment and Problems with Vision

When discussing the dangers that are posed by an ageing workforce, it is essential to keep in mind that all of the effects of ageing are relevant factors to consider; however, the influence of vision loss cannot be minimized. It is critical to one's performance and safety in the workplace that one has a clear vision.

Several common eye conditions that affect older workers have the potential to significantly impact worker health and safety, including the following:

#1 Presbyopia 

Presbyopia is a disease in which the lens of the eye loses its ability to focus, making it more difficult to see things that are up close. As a direct consequence of this, certain workers may experience eye strain or headaches when completing tasks that require detailed work or extensive reading. This condition typically manifests itself in people over the age of 40 and is a major factor in the requirement for bifocal glasses. 

#2 Cataract

Cataracts are another common issue that can affect one's vision. Cataracts are hazy patches that can form on the lens of the eye or in a portion of it. In most people, the lens of their eye is transparent which allows light to pass through them. Cataracts, on the other hand, prevent light from easily passing through the lens of the eye, which results in a loss of vision. Cataracts can be removed surgically if they reach a certain size. The presence of cataracts has the potential to significantly impact both workplace safety and performance, even though this procedure is considered to be relatively minor.

#3 Glaucoma

Glaucoma, which is one of the leading causes of blindness in the United States, can make it difficult for older workers to continue working because it reduces their vision. Glaucoma is one of the leading causes of blindness in the United States. Glaucoma is a disease that causes gradual damage to the eyes, which means that vision loss may not be noticed until the disease has progressed to a more advanced stage. The damage to the optic nerve that is characteristic of glaucoma is usually associated with an increase in pressure within the eye. This decrease in vision can have a significant impact on the safety of the worker.

Concluding Words

Several diseases and things impact the vision of the ageing workforce. The best that they can do to ensure that they continue working with lesser risk is to give the right protection to their eyes by wearing Prescription Safety Glasses. In this blog, we have talked about why the ageing workforce should prioritize the safety of their eyes. If you know any aged person who works in an unsafe environment around you then do recommend that person invest in good quality and highly durable safety glasses offered by Glasses Canada!