British office workers lose 40 minutes daily to eye strain

British office workers are losing nearly 40 minutes of productivity each day due to issues with eye health such as strain, tiredness and irritation.

Findings from a recent survey suggest that these problems are common, with almost half of British office workers reporting regular struggles with eye strain or tired eyes. The data, collected from 2,011 office workers across Britain, also revealed that a third reported developing headaches or migraines as a result of these vision-related issues.

A high reliance on digital technology compounds the frequency with which workers experience eye discomfort. The study showed that the average adult spends around eight hours each day looking at digital screens, while nearly one in five adults use screens for more than 11 hours daily. Nearly a quarter of respondents report difficulties sleeping, an issue that has long been associated with prolonged screen exposure.

Delayed eye care

The survey highlights a significant gap in eye health maintenance, with a quarter (25%) of adults overdue for an eye examination. Breaking this figure down further, men are five percentage points more likely than women to miss their regular eye exams. According to industry experts, this gap in health care puts millions at risk of more serious problems in the future.

Research has also drawn connections between eye strain and other physical ailments. Up to 80% of employees suffering from eye strain are also affected by musculoskeletal pain such as neck, shoulder, and back problems, all of which are factors driving workplace sickness absence in the UK.

Employee expectations

Around a third of survey participants indicated that they would appreciate interventions from their employers to help manage or reduce their eye health symptoms. Suggested measures included introducing anti-glare filters or scheduling tactical breaks away from screens during the workday to alleviate discomfort.

Dhruvin Patel, Chief Executive Officer and qualified optometrist at Ocushield, is calling for businesses to place more emphasis on employee eye health:

"It's clear that some Brits are losing sight of just how important eye health is – quite literally. 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."

"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."

Ocushield has introduced an online eye screening service designed for the workplace, allowing employees to assess their eyesight in their usual working environment. This digital solution checks various aspects of vision, including colour accuracy, muscle balance, field of vision, and depth perception.

Katharine Metters, Ergonomist and Lead Consultant at Posturite, a partner organisation with Ocushield, reinforced the message about the importance of vision in workplace wellbeing:

"We want people to feel comfortable and energised at work; and vision and eye health are a vitally important element of workplace wellbeing. As employers, we can support staff by helping them take care of their eyes. Our team members can't give their best in their jobs if they're suffering from poor vision and eye strain – and their posture may be negatively affected by these too. Squinting could lead to increased leaning forwards and consequently reducing your back support."

Experts within the field agree that taking basic steps to address vision-related challenges can significantly impact employee health and comfort. Recommendations include regular eye exams, providing tools such as anti-glare and blue light filters, and encouraging frequent breaks away from screens. These actions are considered beneficial not only for individual well-being but also for overall organisational productivity.

The research was conducted by Obsurvant in June 2025 and focused on a nationally representative sample of the British working population aged 16 and above.