Eye Tests And VDU Users: The Law For Employers & Employees

LOUGHBOROUGH, U.K. - Oct. 26, 2014 - PRLog -- The H&S directive mentions the employee needing to use a visual display unit (VDU/computer screen/laptop tablet/smart phone) for continuous spells in periods of over 1 hour.

If guidelines match your circumstances, it's your right to request your employer organise and pay for an eye test. It’s best to speak to the person in charge of health and safety/human resources. In a small company it may be a managers/director or owner.

If you have an eye test and the optometrist advises you that you need glasses for the sole purpose of working on VDUs, you can ask your company/organisation to pay or at least contribute towards glasses and have your eye test fee reimbursed. However, if you need glasses for personal use eg. Driving, they are not required to pay for glasses but still should pay for your eye test.

Many large companies tend to make sure that they comply with regulations, in which case go to HR and request eye test reimbursement. They may already have a scheme or issue you with a voucher to be redeemed at a number of opticians. You may prefer to go to your usual optician and although your employer is not obliged to facilitate this, most understand the importance of this and will normally support this request. Employers normally reimburse between £20-£40 towards the cost of an appropriate professional eye test and also make a contribution towards 'glasses soley for VDU' or glasses which include a 'specific prescription for VDU' on presentation of a report & receipt from your optometrist or optician.

FAQs - Display Screen Equipment (DSE)

How long and how often should breaks be for DSE work?

A: There is no legal guidance on this point and it would depend on the kind of work you are doing but it is advisable to break up long spells of DSE work. Frequent short breaks are of  5–10 are advisable.

How can I protect my eyes during DSE work?

A: Long spells of DSE work can lead to tired eyes, discomfort, dry eyes, temporary short-sightedness and headaches. DSE work is visually demanding, so it can make you aware of eyesight problems not noticed before (including changes in eyesight that happen with age). You can help your eyes by ensuring your screen is well positioned and properly adjusted, that lighting conditions are suitable, and by taking regular breaks. Reflection-free lenses, UV protection and blue-light protection have been found to protect the eyes and reduce symptoms.

Do the DSE Regulations apply to children and students?

A: No. The Regulations only place duties on employers in respect of employees (or self-employed persons working in the employer's undertaking). All Children under 16 and FT students under 19 are entitled a free NHS eye test and help towards glasses if needed.

Does the Display Screen give out harmful radiation?

A: The Display Screen gives out both visible light, which enables us to see the screen, and other forms of electromagnetic radiation which can be harmful above certain levels. However, the levels of radiation emitted from display screens are below the levels set out in international recommendations. More recently it has been found that blue light emitted from VDU screens can be responsible for eye fatigue and ageing changes in your retina.(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7NyilDwX-Uk)



Can DSE trigger epileptic fits?

A: Most people with epilepsy are unaffected by DSE. A few who suffer from photo-sensitive epilepsy and are susceptible to flicker and stripe patterns Visual Stress. But even they can often work successfully with DSE without provoking an attack and can be provided with precision tinted lenses by a suitably trained optometrist using a colorimeter.(www.dyslexia-eye.co.uk)


Visual Answers Corporate Eyecare

If you need a Corporate Eyecare scheme to cover all your employees eyecare needs, Visual Answers Optometrists scheme enables your employees to benefit from some special prices, in addition to a range of enhanced profesional optical care at great prices. By taking advantage, you will not fulfil your duty of care hassle free, but also ensure the visual efficiency, comfort and optimal eye performance of your workforce too.

Our scheme offers rewards for your employees and even their families by providing them with valuable eyecare and healthcare benefits. We offer eye tests at our award-winning independent optometry practices in Quorn and Barrow Upon Soar near Loughborough. We also carry out on-site eye testing throughout the East Midlands too. We provide eye care for DSE, safety spectacles and glasses for personal use too. Our approach allows choice, flexibility and convenience to you and your employees. Unlike some other eye care schemes, we do not charge your company any up front fees to join. We can arrange account/invoice and credit facilities too.

Visual Answers Optometrists VDU Eye Examinations & VDU Glasses Service:

All VDU users will receive a thorough eye test giving consideration to their occupational needs and the appropriate visual standards based on guidelines from the College of Optometrists. A special VDU report will be issued to the Company specifying whether a correction is required specifically for VDU use and a copy of their prescription handed to the employee.
For this service,Visual Answers charge a reduced Corporate VDU fee for the examination & report starting from as little as £19 (depending on the number of employees). Uniquely, they also provide executive eye examinations for key employees and company directors. This advanced diagnostic eye test includes (i) 3D OCT eye scans (checking for risk of early macular degeneration)  (ii) FDT examination (checking your visual pathway from the back of your eyes to your brain). (iii) Optomap eye scan that allows us to see 4 times more of your retina than a normal eye test to help early detection of diabetes, glaucoma, retinal detachments & even eye tumours. The normal price of this examination would be £105 but can be provided for as little as £35 (depending on the number of employees).

Only a small proportion of VDU users receiving a full eye examination will require correction specifically for VDU.  If the glasses are used for any other purpose, the employer is not obliged to bear the cost. Glasses specifically for VDU use are generally a single vision.  The cost of such glasses start at a special inclusive price of £39 for a frame and standard single vision lenses
Should employees wish to choose from our full range of frames and lenses, they are free to do so.  Any additional cost incurred will be payable by the individual employee but special discounts will apply.
Visual Answers Corporate Eyecare Scheme offers you and your employees discounted eye tests, money off glasses and contact lenses, also well as a range of benefits that apply to your employees and their family.

To find out more about the Visual Answers Corporate Eyecare scheme, call Visual Answers on Loughborough 01509 414151 or go to their website www.VisualAnswers.co.uk