If your employees spend a significant part of their working day using computers, laptops or other display screen equipment (DSE), you’ve probably come across the term DSE eyecare. But what does it actually involve, and what are your responsibilities as an employer?
At EyeMed UK, we regularly speak to HR professionals, health and safety managers and business leaders who have questions about DSE eyecare. To help, we’ve answered some of the most common questions below.
What is DSE eyecare?
DSE eyecare refers to the eye care support employers provide for employees who use display screen equipment as part of their role.
Display screen equipment includes desktop computers, laptops, tablets and other display screens used for work. While using screens does not damage eyesight, prolonged screen use can contribute to symptoms such as eye strain, blurred vision and headaches, particularly if an employee needs vision correction or has an undiagnosed eye condition.
A DSE eyecare programme helps employees access professional eye examinations and, where appropriate, corrective appliances for display screen work.
Is DSE eyecare a legal requirement?
Yes. Under the Health and Safety (Display Screen Equipment) Regulations 1992, employers must provide an eye test for employees who are classed as DSE users if they request one. Employers must also contribute towards the cost of special corrective appliances where these are required solely for display screen work.
The regulations apply regardless of the size of your organisation and form part of an employer’s wider duty to protect the health, safety and wellbeing of employees.
Who counts as a DSE user?
A DSE user is generally someone who habitually uses display screen equipment as a significant part of their normal work.
This could include office-based employees, hybrid workers, customer service teams, finance professionals, administrators and many other roles.
If you’re unsure whether certain employees qualify, reviewing the HSE guidance or speaking with an experienced provider such as EyeMed UK can help you apply the regulations correctly.
Do screens damage your eyesight?
There is no evidence that using display screen equipment permanently damages eyesight. However, long periods of screen use can contribute to digital eye strain, sometimes referred to as computer vision syndrome.
Employees may experience symptoms including:
- Tired or sore eyes
- Blurred vision
- Headaches
- Dry eyes
- Difficulty focusing
This can have a huge impact on day-to-day life and productivity at work, so ensuring your employees have access to the right eye care solutions is imperative.
What are the benefits of a DSE eyecare programme?
While compliance is often the starting point, DSE eyecare can deliver wider benefits for both employers and employees.
A well-managed programme can:
- Help organisations meet their legal obligations
- Make it easier for employees to access professional eye care
- Support wider employee wellbeing initiatives
- Reduce the administrative burden on HR teams
- Demonstrate a commitment to employee health
At EyeMed UK, we believe DSE eyecare should be simple, accessible and straightforward to manage, allowing employers to focus on supporting their people rather than navigating complex processes.
How can employers make DSE eyecare easier to manage?
Many organisations still rely on manual processes to arrange eye tests or reimburse employees, which can be time consuming for HR and payroll teams.
Working with a specialist provider such as EyeMed UK helps streamline the entire process. From issuing digital vouchers to providing access to a nationwide network of optical practices, a managed programme reduces administration while giving employees a consistent experience.
This is particularly valuable for organisations with multiple offices or hybrid workforces, where flexibility and accessibility are increasingly important.
How often should employees have an eye test?
The Health and Safety Executive states that the examining optometrist will advise when another eye examination is recommended, based on the individual’s needs.
Many adults are advised to have routine eye examinations every two years, although some people may need them more frequently depending on their age, eye health or medical history.
Employers should follow the recommendation provided by the optometrist for each employee.
What should you look for in a DSE eyecare provider?
Not all providers offer the same level of service.
When choosing a DSE eyecare partner, consider factors such as:
- A nationwide network of optical practices
- Straightforward administration
- Flexible solutions for different workforce types
- Responsive customer support
- Experience working with businesses of different sizes
At EyeMed UK, we work with employers to create DSE eyecare programmes that are easy to implement, simple to manage and designed around the needs of both businesses and employees.
Why choose EyeMed UK?
DSE eyecare should never feel like another administrative task on an already busy HR to do list.
At EyeMed UK, we help organisations simplify compliance while delivering a positive experience for employees. Our flexible programmes, nationwide optical network and dedicated support make it easier for businesses to provide high quality DSE eyecare, whether they have a single office or colleagues working across the UK.
By taking a proactive approach to DSE eyecare, employers can support employee wellbeing, meet their legal responsibilities and create a workplace where looking after eye health is both simple and accessible.