Working in agriculture can have both positive and negative impacts on the health of your eyes. If you’re a farmer, you likely experience the following eye care benefits simply from going about your job:
Lower risk of myopia
Research has shown that people who spend lots of time outdoors (like most farmers) tend to be less likely to develop myopia or shortsightedness. This is in part due to the brightness of the natural light outdoors and how far away some of the objects on the landscape are from your eyes.
Better Circulation
Regular physical activity increases your heart rate which boosts circulation and can help bring more oxygen to your eyes. It may also assist in flushing out toxins that might otherwise build up over time and cause issues.
Lower risk of anxiety and depression
Farming has been associated with lower levels of stress (or a greater ability to cope with stress in a healthy manner). As a result, many stress-related eye problems like eye twitches, dry eyes and eye strain are less likely to manifest.
On the other hand, agricultural work increases other risks that should also be taken into account including:
Direct Injuries
In agriculture, the risk of injury to your eyes due to impact with sharp /heavy objects or dangerous chemicals should always be considered. The use of proper protective gear at all times goes a long way to improve safety, however.
Overexposure to sunlight
While outdoor exposure to sunlight may play a role in reducing the instance of myopia, too much sunlight has been linked to a range of eye conditions including Ultraviolet Keratitis.
Good vision comes in handy at all stages of the farming process so it pays to take care of your eyes. Whether you wear corrective lenses or not, be sure to always use appropriate protective goggles as needed and consider UV protection lenses if you’ll be out in the sun for a long time.