by HRHQ Editorial Team
Ireland’s workers struggling to read computer screens due to eyesight problems could be costing the economy up to an estimated €3.3bn each year, according to new research.
The new research from Specsavers asked Ireland’s workers if eyesight problems such as blurred vision, light sensitivity or double vision slow down their ability to read a computer screen or read text on a phone or tablet whilst at work.
Over one in four (27%) of surveyed Irish workers reported tasks taking longer because of these eyesight problems when reading computer screens.
Of those Irish workers surveyed who reported that eyesight conditions slowed them down doing certain tasks, they lost an average of 44 minutes each day due to slower reading times on computer screens as a result of eyesight problems.
The financial hit to businesses from one employee on an average Irish salary according to the Central Statistics Office, taking 44 minutes extra each day to read a computer screen could be as much as an estimated €4,322.
With around 2.8 million people in work in the Republic of Ireland, these eyesight problems could result in an estimated up to €3.3bn worth of lost time for the Irish economy every year.
In Ireland, government legislation plays a crucial role in protecting employees who regularly use display screen equipment (DSE), such as computers, for prolonged periods. Employers are legally required to provide appropriate eye and eyesight tests for staff who habitually use DSE for continuous periods of an hour or more each day.
These tests must be made available and paid for by the employer, including for remote workers. If the test reveals that an employee requires glasses specifically for DSE use, such as lenses tailored to the distance at which the screen is viewed, the employer must also cover the cost of basic frames and lenses.
This legal framework is a vital step in safeguarding employee wellbeing and productivity, especially as screen time continues to rise in modern workplaces.
