Why corporate wellness programs should include eye care benefits?

Should eye care be part of corporate wellness programs?

In India, corporate wellness programs have grown rapidly in recent years. This rise is driven by increasing lifestyle diseases, the growing need for mental health support, and the pressure to retain talent in a competitive market.

Yet, one critical aspect often overlooked in these strategies is eye health. With employees spending long hours in front of laptops, smartphones, and other digital devices, eye strain is now one of the most common workplace complaints. According to a 2025 report by VSP Vision Care, nearly three out of four employees worldwide (68%) experience digital eye strain symptoms, and 59% say it directly impacts their productivity.

The situation is no different in India, where most employees spend 8–10 hours a day on screens. Despite this, eye care rarely features in corporate wellness plans. Organizations may offer gym memberships or yoga sessions, but very few include regular eye checkups, eye strain awareness, or preventive eye care benefits.

As the workforce becomes more digital-first, it’s time for Indian employers to integrate eye care into corporate wellness programs making them more holistic, preventive, and relevant for today’s workplace.

What are corporate wellness programs?

Corporate wellness programs are employer-sponsored initiatives that aim to improve the overall health and wellbeing of employees. These programs go beyond offering group medical insurance; they are designed to create a healthier, more balanced workforce by addressing physical, mental, and emotional needs.

Corporate wellness programs include:

• Fitness activities such as gym memberships, yoga sessions, or fitness challenges.
  
• Nutrition support through diet consultations, healthy meal plans, or cafeteria upgrades.
  
• Preventive health checkups like annual or quarterly screenings to detect issues early.
  
• Mental health resources, including counseling sessions, stress management workshops, or mindfulness training.
  
• Awareness programs around lifestyle diseases, ergonomics, and work-life balance.

How does digital work affect eye health?

The way we work has transformed dramatically in the last decade. With digital tools, hybrid models, and remote work becoming the norm, employees spend more time than ever in front of screens. While this transformation has boosted efficiency, it has also introduced a new health challenge: Eye strain.

Prolonged screen exposure forces the eyes to focus continuously on near objects, reducing blink rate and causing dryness, fatigue, and blurred vision. The absence of proper breaks, poor workstation lighting, and using multiple devices (laptop, phone, tablet) only worsen the strain.

In India, studies show that 65% of employees suffer from eye strain or vision issues, with nearly half reporting frequent headaches and fatigue.

How to protect your eyes during long work hours?

Small habits can go a long way in protecting eye health. Here are some simple yet effective rules to follow at the workplace:

• 20-20-20 rule: Every 20 minutes, look at an object 20 feet away for at least 20 seconds. This relaxes eye muscles and reduces strain.
  
• Blink often: Remind yourself to blink regularly. Screen use lowers our blink rate, leading to dryness and irritation.
  
• Screen setup: Position your monitor at eye level and about an arm’s length away. This reduces both eye strain and neck pain.
  
• Lighting adjustments: Minimize glare by adjusting brightness,or applying anti-glare screen protectors.
  
• Breaks & stretches: Take short breaks to rest your eyes and stretch your body. Even a few minutes every hour can improve comfort and focus.
  
• Wear blue light glasses: Encourage the use of blue light blocking glasses, especially for employees who spend long hours on screens. Employers can consider providing them as part of corporate wellness benefits.

Why eye care should be part of corporate wellness programs

Eye health is often treated as a personal concern, but in today’s digital workplace, it directly impacts both employees and organizations. Including eye care in corporate wellness programs offers benefits that go far beyond vision health.

• Boosts productivity
  By offering preventive eye care such as regular checkups, awareness sessions, or access to blue light glasses companies can reduce sick leaves and improve concentration levels at work.
  
• Reduces healthcare costs
  Preventive eye checkups catch problems like myopia, glaucoma, or retinal issues early.These can lead to more serious conditions that not only affect an employee’s wellbeing but also result in higher medical expenses. Investing in eye care upfront helps employers control long-term healthcare costs and group medical insurance claims.
  
• Supports employee wellbeing
  A truly holistic wellness program must go beyond physical fitness and mental health. With employees spending hours daily on screens, addressing this need shows employees that the company values every aspect of their health.
  
• Improves employee retention
  Wellness benefits that address real, everyday challenges make employees feel cared for. When companies provide eye care support, employees perceive it as a thoughtful and practical benefit, something that strengthens loyalty and reduces turnover.
  

By integrating eye care into corporate wellness programs, employers not only protect their employee’s health but also create a culture of care and productivity that benefits the entire organization.

At Pazcare, we have conducted several on-site eye care camps for our clients, making preventive care more accessible to employees. These camps not only help in the early detection of vision problems but also raise awareness about simple practices to reduce digital eye strain. Such initiatives show how adding eye care to corporate wellness programs can directly improve employee health and workplace productivity.

What eye care benefits can HRs include in corporate wellness programs?

For eye care to become a meaningful part of corporate wellness programs, organizations can introduce a mix of preventive, supportive, and financial benefits. Some practical options include:

• Annual or bi-annual eye checkups-Regular eye screenings help detect early signs of vision problems and prevent long-term complications. Companies can partner with healthcare providers like Pazcare to offer these as part of annual health camps.
  
• OPD wallet for everyday eye care- An OPD wallet provides employees with a pre-allocated fund that they can use for everyday medical expenses including eye checkups, routine doctor consultations, and even purchasing spectacles or contact lenses. Unlike group medical insurance cover, which only activates during major treatments, the OPD wallet supports preventive and minor healthcare needs. ‍
• Blue light filter lenses & screen awareness- Encouraging employees to use blue light filtering lenses or activating in-device screen protection can reduce digital eye strain‍
• Insurance coverage for eye-related treatments- Including eye care expenses such as cataract surgeries, consultations, or advanced treatments under group medical insurance helps employees manage costs while ensuring comprehensive care.
  

Ready to integrate eye care into your corporate wellness strategy?
Partner with Pazcare to design wellness benefits that truly meet the needs of your workforce.