Digital Eye Strain at Work: Causes, Symptoms and How Employers Can Help Support Employee Eye Health

In this blog, we’ll explore the causes and symptoms of digital eye strain, and the steps employers can take to support eye health in the workplace.

Why is employee eye health becoming a bigger workplace issue?

Our eyes weren’t designed to focus on digital screens for hours at a time, but the modern workplace puts significant demands on employee eye health.

With the average person spending 9 to 11 hours a day looking at screens, eye strain and discomfort have become common workplace concerns. As hybrid working has become part of everyday life, we’re spending more time in front of laptops and mobile devices, with many meetings that once happened face-to-face now taking place over Teams or Zoom.

In fact, research shows that over 62% of UK adults experience digital eye strain and almost 77% report eye fatigue after a long workday. This highlights why eye health should be treated as an organisational priority and made more accessible as part of a preventative workplace wellbeing strategy.

What are the causes and signs of eye strain?

Since the pandemic, digital eye strain has become increasingly common with 1 in 3 people noticing a deterioration in their eyesight.

One of the most common causes is prolonged screen use. Looking at computers, laptops and mobile devices for long periods of time can reduce how often we blink which leads to discomfort throughout the working day.

Common signs of digital eye strain include tired of sore eyes, dry or watery eyes, blurred vision, headaches, and neck and shoulder discomfort.

How can employers help reduce digital eye strain?

Employers can help reduce digital eye strain by encouraging healthier habits before problems develop and employees need to take time away from work.

One simple but effective approach is the 20-20-20 rule – every 20 minutes, look at something 20 feet away for 20 seconds. It’s also important to ensure workstations are set up correctly in line with Display Screen Equipment (DSE) guidance, and to encourage employees to step away from their screens during lunch breaks and between meetings.

Providing digital eye care as part of employee benefits is another practical way to support workplace eye health. Giving employees access to digital health tools makes it easier to monitor their vision and seek support before problems become more serious

What is a digital vision check?

As part of our commitment to preventative healthcare and growing demand for accessible digital health support, Medicash recently introduced Digital Vision Checks to our members at no extra cost.

Delivered through our service partner, Ocushield, the Digital Vision Check helps members understand how screen time may be affecting their vision, quickly and conveniently from any device. This informational tool takes an average of 4 minutes to complete and provides an indicative eye health score, tailored eye exercises to help reduce strain, and clear guidance on when to book an appointment with an optometrist.

Commenting on this partnership, Andy Roberts, Chief Operating Officer at Medicash, said:

“Optical claims are consistently one of the most frequently used benefits across our plans, making eye health a clear priority for Medicash. Investing in accessible, digital-first solutions is a key part of how we continue to evolve our offering. Our partnership with Ocushield reflects this approach, giving policyholders the ability to complete a digital vision check in around four minutes, from any device, with clear guidance on the right next step.”

Dr. Raj Kohli, Clinical Innovation Lead at Ocushield, added:

“The human eye was never designed for ten hours a day at 50cm from a screen, and the workforce data is now showing the consequences. This partnership takes eye care out of the clinic and puts it in the hands of employees, where it is actually needed. Giving every Medicash member access to a digital vision check closes one of the biggest gaps in UK occupational health.”

Why should eye health be part of your employee wellbeing strategy?

According to research published by Ocushield, office workers are losing an estimated 40 minutes of productivity each day due to eye strain. So, how can employers take a more proactive approach to supporting employee eye health?

A key challenge is preventing issues before they lead to absence. With Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) now payable from day one under the Employment Rights Act 2025, even short periods away from work can become costly.

Introducing health cash plans and digital wellbeing tools can help support this. Employees can claim cash back towards the cost of routine optical appointments and prescription glasses or contact lenses, making eye care more affordable and accessible. Digital wellbeing tools like our Digital Vision Check encourage employees to check in with their eye health and know when it’s time to see an optometrist. Together, they help employers take a more preventative approach to workplace wellbeing.