Eye testing at work: a guide to corporate eye screening days
By See Better · Updated · 5 min read
The short answer
A corporate eye testing day brings an optometrist to your workplace so that staff can have a full eye test without taking leave. A room is set aside, employees book short slots, and each person gets a private test and their results. Staff pay through medical aid or at cash prices, or the employer covers the cost. See Better offers this across Gauteng.
Key points
- Uncorrected vision causes headaches, fatigue and mistakes, and people rarely take time off to fix it.
- An on-site day needs only a quiet room and a booking schedule.
- Results are confidential between each employee and the optometrist.
- See Better's eye test is R450, and most medical aids are accepted.
Why vision matters at work
Most work is visual. Screens, documents, machinery, vehicles and safety signs all depend on employees seeing clearly and comfortably for hours at a time.
Vision changes slowly, so many people work with eyesight that is below par without realising it. The results show up in other ways:
- headaches and tired eyes by mid-afternoon
- slower reading and more mistakes
- difficulty concentrating in long meetings and on detailed tasks
- sore necks and shoulders from leaning towards a screen
- risk on the road and on the factory floor
The usual reason people give for not having an eye test is time. An optometrist is open during working hours, and an appointment means leave, travel and a waiting room. So it gets put off for years.
What employees gain
- a full eye test at work, in about half an hour
- an accurate, up-to-date prescription
- a check on the health of their eyes, which can pick up early signs of conditions such as glaucoma, cataracts, diabetes and high blood pressure
- advice on their own screen set-up and habits
- the option to order glasses without a second trip
For many employees it will be their first eye test in a long time. See how often you should have an eye test.
What employers gain
- Less time lost. A test at the office takes far less of the working day than an outside appointment.
- Fewer vision-related complaints, such as headaches and eye strain.
- Safer drivers and operators. Good vision is basic to road and machine safety.
- A wellness benefit that people use. Eye tests are quick, painless and popular.
- Visible care for staff, at modest cost.
The legal side in South Africa
South African law does not set a specific rule that office workers must be offered eye tests. The Occupational Health and Safety Act does, however, place a general duty on employers to provide a working environment that is safe and without risk to health, as far as is reasonably practicable. For roles in which eyesight is critical to safety, such as driving, operating machinery or working at heights, making sure that employees can see properly is part of managing that risk. Professional drivers must also meet a legal vision standard. See the eye test for your driver's licence.
How an on-site eye testing day works
- Agree the date and the numbers. Tell us roughly how many people want to be tested, so that we can plan the day or days.
- Set aside a room. A quiet meeting room or office with a door, a table and a few chairs is enough. We bring the testing equipment.
- Open the bookings. Staff choose a time slot, so nobody queues and work carries on.
- Testing. Each person has an individual eye test with an HPCSA-registered optometrist. What happens during an eye test describes the steps.
- Results. Each employee is told their results privately and receives their prescription if they need glasses. Anyone who needs further care is referred.
- Glasses. Employees who need glasses can choose a frame and lenses.
Costs and medical aid
There are three common ways to pay:
- Employees use their own medical aid. See Better is registered with most medical aids and charges at medical aid tariffs. See does medical aid cover eye tests and glasses?
- Employees pay cash. An eye test is R450, and complete glasses including the test start at R1199.
- The employer pays or contributes, for all staff or for particular roles such as drivers.
Many companies use a mixture: medical aid members claim, and the company covers the test for those without cover.
Privacy
An eye test is a health examination, and the results are personal health information. They belong to the employee and are protected by the Protection of Personal Information Act (POPIA) and by professional confidentiality. The employer receives no individual results unless the employee agrees in writing. An employer can be given overall figures only, such as how many people were tested.
Where a test is a requirement of the job, for example for drivers, employees should be told in advance what will be reported to the employer.
Who benefits most
- office and call-centre staff who are on screens all day
- drivers, delivery teams and sales representatives on the road
- machine operators, artisans and quality inspectors
- security staff, particularly those who work at night
- teachers and school staff
- anyone over 40, when near vision starts to change
Good screen habits help everyone in between tests. Share digital eye strain and the 20-20-20 rule with your team.
How to arrange one with See Better
Send us a WhatsApp with your company's area, the approximate number of staff and your preferred dates. See Better's optometrists travel to workplaces throughout Gauteng, including Johannesburg, Pretoria, the East Rand, the West Rand and the Vaal. We also test at schools and events.
Frequently asked questions
How long does each employee's eye test take?
About 20 to 40 minutes per person for a full eye test. Staff book individual slots, so each person is away from their desk only for their own appointment.
What do we need to provide for an on-site eye testing day?
A quiet, private room with a table and chairs, and a way for staff to book time slots. The optometrist brings the testing equipment.
Does the employer see employees' results?
No. Individual results are confidential and are shared only with the employee, unless the employee gives written consent or was told beforehand that a fitness-for-duty result would be reported.
Can employees use medical aid for an eye test at work?
Yes. See Better is registered with most medical aids and charges at medical aid tariffs. Employees should have their membership details with them on the day.
This article is general information and is not a diagnosis or a substitute for an eye examination. If you are worried about your eyes or your sight, see an optometrist or a doctor. Sudden loss of vision, eye injuries and severe eye pain are emergencies.
