More needs to be done to protect workers’ eye health, says a new report by the International Labour Organization (ILO) and the International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness (IAPB).
Titled “Eye Health and the World of Work,” the report reveals that a staggering 13 million people worldwide suffer from vision impairment related to their employment, with an alarming 3.5 million eye injuries occurring in workplaces annually. These injuries account for 1 percent of all non-fatal occupational injuries.
The report sheds light on the profound impact of eye health on labour markets, emphasizing that workers with vision impairment face a 30 percent lower likelihood of employment compared to their counterparts with unimpaired vision. Furthermore, the prevalence of vision impairment is significantly influenced by economic development, with low- and middle-income regions experiencing approximately four times as many cases as high-income regions.
KEY OBJECTIVES
Crucially, the study underscores that over 90 percent of vision impairment cases are preventable or treatable through cost-effective interventions that already exist. This highlights the imperative for coordinated efforts on a global, national, and workplace level to safeguard the well-being of workers, as eye health is an integral facet of overall worker health.
The report outlines three key objectives for occupational safety and health (OSH) programs aimed at protecting workers’ vision: first, to prevent exposure to specific hazards in each workplace; second, to preserve the existing eye health of workers; and third, to establish a system that incorporates workers’ natural vision changes into risk assessments.
Furthermore, the report emphasizes the importance of informing workers about potential hazards that could affect their eye health and involving workers and their representatives in the development of eye health programs and workplace interventions.
Joaquim Pintado Nunes, ILO Chief of Labour Administration, Labour Inspection, and Occupational Safety and Health, stressed, “The ILO stresses the importance of protecting workers’ safety and health – including their eyes. By prioritizing eye health awareness and effective implementation, we can make sure workers have access to a safe and healthy working environment. This ensures their overall well-being, reduces disparities, and leads to heightened productivity.”
IAPB President Caroline Casey added, “This report demonstrates to everyone the vital importance of looking after our eyes, whilst also giving incredibly useful guidance and recommendations for how to protect and promote eye health within the workplace.”
This report arrives a month ahead of World Sight Day, which will focus this year on the theme ‘Love Your Eyes at Work.’ It calls on employers globally to prioritize the eye health of their employees. World Sight Day, coordinated by IAPB, serves as an annual day of awareness dedicated to highlighting the significance of eye care, with the upcoming World Sight Day 2023 set for October 12, 2023.