Join Us for Blue Light Awareness Day
October 10th, 2024
About Blue Light Awareness Day
Blue Light Awareness Day is a global initiative to educate the public about potential risks of blue light exposure on our eyes, sleep and overall health. Digital screens have become an integral part of our lives, so it’s imperative that we come together to understand and address the potential risks of blue light. Check out 5 Simple Steps to reduce your family’s blue light exposure.
Why It Matters
Our mission is to educate individuals, families, schools and employers about the negative health impacts of using digital devices, such as smartphones, computers, and tablets. The prevalence of conditions such as digital eye strain, myopia, and other vision issues has risen dramatically, leading to discomfort, fatigue, and other consequences that affect our overall well-being.
WHY CARE ABOUT SCREEN TIME AND BLUE LIGHT?
Program Collaborators
Program Collaborators
The Downside of Too Much Screen Time
Screen time peaked during the pandemic and has remained high at 11+ hours per day.1 According to the Vision Council, as many as 65% of Americans report experiencing symptoms of digital eye strain.2 Too much blue light exposure from viewing screens at night may cause trouble falling asleep and staying asleep.3 Furthermore, children are also exposed to digital screens at an earlier age, raising concerns about the potential impact on their developing eyes.4
Together We Can Make a Difference
Blue Light Awareness Day isn’t just a one-day event; it’s a call to action for us all. By raising awareness about the potential risks and advocating for healthier screen habits, we can collectively work towards a future where blue light protection is the norm for all digital devices. We encourage you to participate in Blue Light Awareness Day by posting on social media channels using the official hashtag, #bluelightawarenessday and tagging @eyesafeofficial on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. You can also get the Blue Light Awareness Day toolkit here.
5 SIMPLE STEPS TO FIGHT BLUE LIGHT
#1 Reduce exposure to screens
Keep screens at least 18-24 inches from eyes, limit screen time and use products to reduce blue light from digital devices
#2 Put devices to bed early
Blue light affects the brain’s sleep-wake cycle. Reduce screen time 2+ hours before bedtime.
#3 Consult an eye doctor
Get a comprehensive eye exam and talk to your vision care provider about blue light solutions.
#4 Take breaks and blink
Take a screen break for 15 mins every 2 hours or follow the 20-20-20 rule. Rest your eyes and don’t forget to blink!
#5 Block the blue
Look for displays with blue light reduction features, screen protectors with proven blue light filtration, or doctor-recommended eyewear.
Strategies to Create a Healthier Classroom:
Technology has become integral to learning, but one crucial aspect of student well-being is often overlooked–eye health. This webinar empowers educators and administrators with knowledge and tools needed to ensure students’ wellbeing in the era of screens.
Featuring: Premilla Banwait, OD a pediatric optometrist and VP of Clinic Programs and UnitedHealthcare, elaborates on the connection between vision and learning, signs of eye issues and how blue light may affect student’s eyes and sleep. Jennette Vanderpool, Ed.D. an Education Strategist at CDW, delves into the role of technology in education, and how its changed over time, shares the impact of screen time on social emotional learning, and ways educators can help protect student wellbeing. Mike deFisser, who handles education for Eyesafe, shares why blue light protection matters for educators, how schools are adapting to protect students, and the resources available to schools. The webinar concludes with a live Q&A.
About Blue Light Awareness Day
In 2019, California and Senator Pan unanimously passed Blue Light Awareness Day Resolution SCR-73. Resolution Full Text
“WHEREAS, Given the growing body of research around the breadth and scope of potential eye and systemic health impacts related to blue light exposure, the State of California encourages citizens, particularly children, to consider taking protective safety 
measures in reducing eye exposure to high-energy visible blue light; now, therefore, be it Resolved by the Senate of the State of California, thereof concurring, That the Legislature hereby designates October 10 of each year as Blue Light Awareness Day” – State Blue Light Resolution SCR-73
Voices of Support
“The impact of high energy blue light emissions on children is a significant health concern. The resolution, passed by unanimous and bi-partisan support in both the Senate and Assembly, demonstrates that when it comes to protecting public health and educating around emerging health concerns, California will take the lead.”
Dr. Richard Pan, Pediatrician and State Senator
“World Sight Day, The Vision Council applauds the California State Legislature for recognizing the importance of the vision health of its citizens. In order to help ensure healthy eyesight, we recommend people of all ages have an annual eye exam to diagnose possible eye disease, identify changes in vision, update prescriptions, and find the appropriate vision correction solution.”
Ashley Mills, Vision Council
“Resolution SCR-73 passed by the California State Legislature sends a message to the eye care sector, electronics manufacturers, parents and educators that we need to be taking the issue of blue light emissions and extended exposure to digital screens seriously, and undertake the necessary research to fully understand its impact.”
Jeff Todd, Prevent Blindness
Blue Light Awareness Resources
The assets below are provided for your promotion of Blue Light Awareness Day. Alterations to images or logos is not permitted contact us with questions.
Link to: bluelightawarenessday.org
hashtag #BlueLightDay @EyesafeOfficial
Videos:
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Are you concerned about too much screen time? Smartphones, computers, monitors, tablets, and yes, even TVs, give off blue light. Blue light can be beneficial in small doses, but when you use devices before bed, it can seriously mess with your sleep. There is also evidence that blue light affects your eyes and overall health. Oct 10 is Blue Light Awareness Day, so it’s a great time to learn about the steps you can take to reduce your blue light exposure. Go to https://bluelightawarenessday.org for tips and information. #BlueLightDay @EyesafeOfficial
1 Eyesafe estimate based on Nielsen Total Audience Reports, 2018-2023. Some amounts of simultaneous usage may occur across devices
2 Digital Eye Strain, The Vision Council, https://visionoptions.thevisioncouncil.org/digital-eye-strain
3 Chang AM, et al. Evening use of light-emitting eReaders negatively affects sleep, circadian timing, and next-morning alertness. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States (PNAS). January 2015. 112(4): 1232-1237.
4 Behar-Cohen F, et al. Light-emitting diodes (LED) for domestic lighting: any risks for the eye? Progress in Retinal and Eye Research. 2011 Jul;30(4):239-57.