Clear vision plays a bigger role in workplace wellbeing than many people realise.
A recent report estimates that eyesight related issues could be costing UK businesses up to £21.4 billion every year, with employees losing time through slower reading, reduced focus and increased fatigue (Specsavers, 2025).
At Fleet Street Clinic, we see this regularly. People often come to us feeling unusually tired at work, struggling with headaches, or noticing that their concentration isn’t what it used to be… yet they don’t always connect these changes to their vision.
In many cases, a small, undetected vision issue or an outdated prescription is enough to make the working day feel significantly harder.
Vision is closely connected to many aspects of health.
If your eyesight isn’t fully supported, your body tends to compensate, often without you realising. Some examples are:
– Leaning forward to see the screen
– Squinting or widening the eyes
– Holding tension in the neck and shoulders
– Losing focus or reading more slowly
Over time, this can contribute to headaches, neck strain, mental fatigue and a sense of “burnout” that’s actually rooted in visual stress. This is particularly relevant for people who spend long periods at a computer or who work in visually demanding roles.
Eyes can also reveal early health issues. During an eye examination, clinicians can sometimes pick up early signs of broader medical conditions, such as:
– Hypertension, visible as subtle retinal vessel changes
– Diabetes, which can cause early retinal changes even before other symptoms appear
– High cholesterol, sometimes seen as cholesterol deposits in retinal arteries
– Vascular or neurological changes, which may be visible in the optic nerve
These findings can act as important early warning signs, allowing people to seek medical advice before symptoms become more serious.
Why does this matter for employers?
When employees can’t see comfortably, their productivity, accuracy and energy levels naturally suffer. From an occupational health perspective, we know that visual comfort directly influences:
– Focus and concentration
– Task accuracy
– Reading speed
– Fatigue and presenteeism
– Workplace safety
– Overall wellbeing
It’s not about ticking a box, it’s about supporting people to work safely, comfortably and sustainably.
Under the UK’s Display Screen Equipment (DSE) regulations, employees who use screens regularly are entitled to an eye test paid for by their employer. But beyond compliance, regular vision checks are simply good practice. They help prevent strain, reduce discomfort and support productivity — which benefits both employees and businesses.
We work directly with companies to offer:
– Comprehensive occupational health assessments
– Vision screening for employees
– Pathways to specialist care when needed
– Preventive health checks that support long-term wellbeing
– Advice for employers on DSE requirements and workplace adjustments
Our approach is practical, collaborative and centred on looking after people, not just compliance.
Investing in eye care, whether through occupational health programmes or regular eye examinations, is a simple and cost-effective way to improve wellbeing and performance across a team. If your organisation is interested in supporting employee health in a meaningful way, we’re here to help.
Sources:
Specsavers workplace productivity report
WHO – Blindness & Vision loss
WHO – Screen Use & Eye health
WHO – Hypertension (retinal signs)
WHO – Diabetes (diabetic eye disease)
UK HSE – DSE Regulations
