Retaining skilled employees requires more than competitive salaries. UK businesses are increasingly recognising that employee wellbeing plays a vital role in maintaining staff loyalty and corporate eyecare is a crucial, often overlooked factor.
Why Eye Health Deserves a Place on the Corporate Agenda
Vision is fundamental to almost every workplace activity, from screen-based tasks to detailed manual work. Yet, despite its importance, eye health frequently remains neglected in employee wellness strategies.
This neglect carries real consequences. According to the Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB), around 2 million people in the UK live with significant sight loss, impacting their quality of life and work performance. Meanwhile, a 2022 report from the College of Optometrists highlighted that 68% of UK adults experience symptoms of digital eye strain, including headaches, eye discomfort, and blurred vision, all of which can hinder concentration and productivity at work.
These issues, if left unaddressed, can contribute to increased absenteeism and lower job satisfaction, factors that ultimately affect employee retention.
The Link Between Corporate Eyecare and Staff Retention
When eye issues go unaddressed, employees can end up feeling tired and frustrated. That discomfort can affect how they work, and over time, it can even impact their job satisfaction. So, it’s no surprise that poor eye health can lead to people feeling less engaged or even considering a change of role.
Offering regular eye tests, helping with prescription glasses, and sharing tips about preventing eye strain are simple ways employers can show they care. When people know their wellbeing matters, they’re more likely to stick around.
Beyond Compliance: Building a Culture of Care
Under the UK’s Display Screen Equipment (DSE) Regulations, employers must offer eye tests to employees who use screens regularly for work. However, meeting this baseline requirement isn’t enough to fully support eye health.
Forward-thinking organisations are adopting broader measures, including:
- Subsidising prescription glasses and specialist lenses
- Promoting ergonomic workstations and regular screen breaks
- Offering access to occupational eyecare professionals for tailored advice
- Integrating eye health education into wider wellbeing programmes
These initiatives help mitigate the effects of digital eye strain and encourage healthier working habits, while demonstrating genuine care for employees’ long-term health.
The Financial Impact of Neglecting Eye Health
Work-related eye injuries alone cost UK businesses around £64 million annually in lost productivity and medical expenses, according to the Health and Safety Executive (HSE). But that’s just the tip of the iceberg. Poor vision and eye strain can quietly chip away at productivity and increase absenteeism, and that adds up to real losses.
On the flip side, investing in good eyecare is a smart move that pays off in happier, healthier staff who stay longer.
Corporate eyecare should be integral to any effective employee health strategy. With screen time rising across all sectors, protecting vision is key to maintaining a productive, comfortable, and loyal workforce.
If you’re considering corporate eyecare for your team, get in touch with us today.