Survey finds office workers have reduced productivity due to strained and tired eyes

Office workers are losing an estimated 40 minutes of productivity each day because of strained, tired or irritated eyes, according to research published by Ocushield. 

As a result of the survey findings, Ocushield is calling on employers to invest in the eye health of their employees.

The survey, which gathered responses from 2011 UK office workers, reported that almost half (47%) of British office workers regularly suffer from eye strain or tired eyes, while for around a third (32%) of these issues result in headaches or migraines.

While the average adult looks at digital screens for eight hours each day, the survey found that almost one in five (18%) adults admitted to this being much higher after around 11 hours of screen use. It also found that a quarter (25%) of adults were overdue a sight test.

Ocushield CEO and optometrist, Dhruvin Patel, said: “It’s clear that some Brits are losing sight of just how important eye health is. Staring at screens all day without proper protection or regular eye checks is a recipe for disaster. It’s no wonder productivity is taking a hit when nearly half of us are dealing with tired, strained eyes on a regular basis. We need to stop turning a blind eye to the problem and start seeing eye care as essential, not optional.”

The survey reported that around a third of British office workers would welcome interventions from their employers.

Patel added: “Looking after our eyes shouldn’t be a vision quest. Simple steps like regular exams, anti-glare, blue light screen filters and smarter breaks can make a huge difference – and employers are perfectly positioned to lead the charge. After all, clearer vision leads to clearer thinking, better sleep, and sharper performance.”