Is Blue Light Negatively Affecting Employee Performance?

28 August 2024

Is Blue Light Negatively Affecting Employee Performance?

Blue light has become quite the buzzword in the working world, especially with workplace wellness discussions becoming more common, and digital devices becoming more integral for work and leisure. Changing work setups have also increased screen time and raised concerns about how blue light can affect employees. A survey from All About Vision found that remote workers spend an average of 13 hours staring at a screen each day.

Blue light can affect well-being in various ways, from sleep schedules to eye strain, and such issues can be detrimental to employee productivity and performance. To ensure your people are working at their best condition, here are some ways you can help address the impacts of blue light and boost employee performance in the workplace.

How blue light affects employee performance

Sleep

Too much blue light exposure, especially at night, can disrupt one’s sleep schedule by impacting the hormone melatonin, which causes sleepiness. This can lead to poor sleep quality, difficulty falling asleep, and daytime fatigue. Employees who are more tired during the workday may have trouble staying alert, attentive, and focused, reducing their ability to perform well.

Eye strain

Employees who use their devices for long hours may experience digital eye strain (DES), also known as computer vision syndrome. DES is a group of eye issues caused by excessive screen time, including eye strain, blurred vision, dry eyes, and headaches. Dealing with DES can cause discomfort and irritation, interrupting workflow and making completing tasks harder. The All About Vision survey also found that long hours of screen time caused people to leave shifts early and take more time off due to eye strain.

How to manage blue light in the workplace

Blue light glasses

It can be hard to find breaks to rest the eyes, especially during a busy workday. But to allow for more visual comfort when working, wearing blue light glasses can help keep eye strain at bay. These glasses ​​increase contrast when looking at computer screens and mobile devices. You can also find a pair with an anti-reflective coating that reduces troublesome reflections. They’re available in prescription and non-prescription versions to suit varying vision needs. Using blue light glasses while working on a computer or using a mobile device can reduce eye strain even when working for long hours. You can encourage employees to wear or help cover the cost of these glasses for your employees.

Eye drops

Dry eye is a common symptom of digital eys strain, and the discomfort can impede productivity at work and make it harder to go about daily life. Prolonged exposure to blue light from screens can cause people to blink less often, increasing irritation, redness, and dryness due to a lack of moisture. Eye drops can help provide relief when working in front of a screen, lubricating and soothing the eyes. Many brands have released products designed to relieve issues from screen time, such as Refresh Digital Lubricant Eye Drops. Providing eye drops for employees can help them reduce dry eye and stay comfortable during work.

Workplace adjustments

Changing the work environment can help reduce the impacts of blue light, and you can make employees aware of these impacts and workplace changes to help them understand their benefits. Ergonomic adjustments like proper monitor placement can help. The top of the screen should be at or slightly below eye level and an arm’s length away. You can provide new office equipment or accessories to ensure this is achievable for everyone. Implement adjustable lighting in the office, allowing employees to personalize the light temperature and intensity. More natural light and adjusting the screen’s brightness can also help minimize the impact of blue light.

Blue light can affect people’s performance at work by causing alertness at night, leading to sleepiness during the day, and by straining the eyes and affecting vision. Fortunately, these tools and tips above can help manage blue light and keep employees performing well.

If you think your employees will now feel their best, check out our tips for boosting team productivity to keep the work flowing and harmonious.

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