Blog Post #1686 – Look Out for Eye Discomfort

From the CCOHS Corner

Printed in the OH&S Canada magazine (Fall 2024)

This report is going to be added to my blog and presented in two parts. Another great report from the CCOHS.

Daniel L. Beal

CHSEP – Advanced

When people think of ergonomic or repetitive strain injuries, carpal tunnel syndrome, neck and shoulder issues, and back pain tend to be the first to come to mind. But eye discomfort sustained at work is also an ergonomic injury, and it affects many workers who spend a prolonged amount of time looking at a screen.

Whether in industrial or office settings, proper lighting can make work tasks easier. People receive about 85 per cent of their information through their sense of sight. Appropriate lighting, without glare or shadows, can reduce eye fatigue and headaches and prevent workplace incidents by increasing the visibility of moving machinery and other safety hazards. Good quality lighting also reduces the chance of incidents and injuries from “momentary blindness” (momentary low vision due to eyes adjusting from brighter to darker surroundings, or vice-versa).

Fortunately, eye discomfort is usually temporary, and many symptoms are remedied when lighting and screen distance are corrected. Workers often alter their posture to relieve stress on their eyes, so addressing the visual ergonomics of their workstations may resolve their neck, shoulder, and back pain too.

Know Symptoms and Causes

Eye discomfort can include eyestrain, dry eyes, blurred vision, red or pink eyes, burning and light sensitivity, and headaches. These symptoms are often diagnosed as computer vision syndrome. Some people, with computer vision syndrome, also feel discomfort in the shoulders, neck, and back.

If a person is experiencing intense or long-lasting eye pain, or if there are other related symptoms, these signs could indicate an underlying health issue. The individual should speak with a healthcare provider to rule out other causes for their eye pain. In addition, if corrective lenses are required, they should confirm with an eye specialist that their prescription is up to date.

There are several contributing factors to eye discomfort. Most have to do with lighting and workstation setup, such as improper distance from eyes to screen, poor resolution or picture quality in a monitor, and poor lighting. Lack of colour variety in the surroundings can also contribute to eye strain. Low ambient humidity or low-quality indoor air can also irritate the eyes.

Whether workers spend a lot of time looking at screens and monitors or reading on paper, eye discomfort often happens when maintaining a fixed and close visual distance for a long time. Discomfort can increase with the glare on screens from unshaded or undiffused light fixtures or poor lighting with fixed levels of illumination.

Vision changes gradually as we age, limiting our ability to focus on objects at close range with the naked eye. Uncorrected or improperly corrected vision is a common source of eye discomfort, so workers should have their vision checked every one or two years, as recommended by an eye specialist. During these checks, individuals should provide their eye examiner with information about their job and use task-specific computer glasses, if recommended.

HRS Group Inc. has a great team that can help you with all your health and safety needs. Contact Deborah toll free at 1-877-907-7744 or locally at 705-749-1259.

We can also be reached at 

Ensure your workplace is a safe place.

Remember – In Canada, “ALL Accidents are Preventable”

‘Work’ and ‘Play’ safe.

Daniel L. Beal

CHSEP – Advanced Level
CEO & Senior Trainer
HRS Group Inc.