Eyesafe

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Eyesafe
IndustryElectronics
Healthcare
FoundedMarch 17, 2014; 7 years ago (2014-03-17) in Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA
Founder
Headquarters
Minneapolis, Minnesota
,
United States
Number of locations
7 (as of 2021)
Area served
Worldwide
Key people
Justin P. Barrett
(Chief Executive Officer)
Paul Herro
(Chief Operating Officer)
Davis Lee
(Chief Strategy Officer)
Websitewww.eyesafe.com

Eyesafe, formerly known as Healthe,[1] is an American technology and research company that engineers and designs products that protect users from blue light emitted from digital devices such as smartphones, laptops, computer monitors, televisions, and virtual reality headsets. It engineers and produces products designed to minimize the risks of visual impairment, insomnia, and other health problems associated with blue light produced by digital devices,[2] including televisions, smartphones, laptops, and computer monitors.

Company history[]

Eyesafe was founded in 2014 in Minneapolis, Minnesota by Dr. Steven Moe and Justin P. Barrett, originally under the name SealScreen. After raising a seed round of $1.2 million in initial funding in 2015,[3] the company later changed its name to Digihealth in 2015 and then again to Healthe in 2016, before finally settling on Eyesafe in 2020. The company has had several subsequent rounds of private investment. Although still privately held, Eyesafe has become the de facto leader for low blue light mitigation and protection in the electronics industry for having consolidated some of the largest consumer brands such as Acer, Dell, HP, Lenovo, and Zagg around its low blue light standard and technology.[4] Major panel manufacturers such as BOE, LG Display and others, have begun positioning themselves to sell Eyesafe-enabled technologies to these brands by working with Eyesafe to adjust their supply chains to meet Eyesafe requirements.

Screen time and the health risks associated with blue light[]

Blue light, also known as high-energy visible (HEV) light, has been shown to impair human sleep cycles by suppressing the production of melatonin,[5] a hormone that enables people to fall asleep. Common sources of blue light include computer monitors, laptops, tablets, and smartphones.[6] Frequent use of blue light-emitting devices may cause potential risks, such as cataracts and age-related macular degeneration (AMD).[7] Computer vision syndrome, or digital eye strain, has been identified by the American Optometric Association as a cause of headaches, blurred vision, and muscle pain.[8] The Mayo Clinic states that "people who look at screens two or more hours every day are at greatest risk of this condition."[9] The pervasiveness and potential risks posed by exposure to blue light has been compared in size and scope to the problems associated with nicotine and smoking.[10][11]

On September, 2019, the California State Legislature passed, by unanimous consent, SCR-73, the "Blue Light Resolution" which began laying the groundwork for future mandates regarding employee safety and student exposure to blue light emitting devices.[12] The measure also designated October 10th of each year as "Blue Light Awareness Day" in the state of California, an act widely lauded by Eyesafe,[13] third-party testing and certification bodies,[14] and the medical community.[15]

Protection against vision damage[]

To guard against the retina-damaging effects of blue light,[16] a protective film called Eyesafe™ has been developed by Healthe. Likened to "sunscreen for eyes", the film creates a selective barrier over digital screens that prevents blue light from reaching the user's eyes.[17] The company produces products with a variety of retina protection factors (RPF), which block different amounts of blue light — for example, a RPF of 60 blocks 60% of blue light.[6]

Eyesafe products include screen covers, glass, and virtual reality headsets. Eyesafe films have been created for Apple and Samsung smartphones and tablets.[18] In 2017, Eyesafe worked with Mattel to provide Eyesafe protective films for 75,000 children's tablets.[17] Eyesafe works with ZAGG to provide Eyesafe technology to InvisibleShield screen protection products.[19]

Eyesafe and child safety[]

Eyesafe is a partner of Prevent Blindness, a patient advocate organization formed in 1908 to combat preventable blindness in children. In 2015, Prevent Blindness announced that "[t]hrough this new partnership, Healthe will donate a portion of the sales of its EyeSafe products... to Prevent Blindness in support of its children’s eye health programs and resources."[20] In 2015, a Minneapolis private school, Benilde-St. Margaret's, installed Eyesafe films on the laptops and smartphones of its journalism students in 2015.[6] In October of 2020, UnitedHealthcare, a division of UnitedHealth Group, the world's largest health insurer, launched a vision program in collaboration with Eyesafe aimed at helping children across the country reduce their exposure to blue light and support their overall eye health, addressing the unique eye-health challenges young people may face amid COVID-19.[21] The increased proximity of high energy blue light to the human eye as in augmented reality and virtual reality devices has been a cause of concern among many doctors in optometry and ophthalmology.[22]

Adoption of Eyesafe technology[]

In August of 2018, Eyesafe formed a partnership with ZAGG to integrate Eyesafe technology into its line of InvisibleShield screen protection products.[23] In October of 2018, Eyesafe and TÜV Rheinland announced a new standard for blue light certification of digital device screen protection.[24]

In May of 2019, the Eyesafe announced a partnership with Dell Technologies to have its low blue light blocking technology featured in a variety of Dell's premium laptop products including certain products across its Dell XPS, Alienware, and Dell G Series.[25][26]

In June of 2020, BOE Technology, the world's largest manufacturer of digital displays [27] announced that its first panels had met Eyesafe's display certification the requirements for low blue light and color performance, enabling BOE to supply consumer electronics brands, such as Dell, that had begun folding in Eyesafe's requirements into their product roadmaps.[28] In September of 2020, computer brands Lenovo, HP, and Acer announced that they were releasing new Eyesafe-enabled consumer and gaming products across their notebook and monitors business lines.[29][30]

At CES 2021, the annual Consumer Electronics Show, LG Display announced the launch of the world's first Eyesafe television display,[31][32] signalling that its premium television lines would now have Eyesafe low blue light protections embedded in its panels.[33] The adoption of the Eyesafe standard by LG Display, the world's second largest manufacturer of television displays,[34] signaled that consumer concern with the impacts of blue light was extending beyond smartphones, laptops and computer displays. Also at CES 2021, Dell, HP, Lenovo, and Acer Inc. made major announcements relating to Eyesafe. Dell announced that its Dell XPS premium laptop line was now 100% Eyesafe[35] after gradually expanding the range of products that met the requirements.[36] HP announced that its M24f, M27f, and M32f monitors would be the are the world’s first Eyesafe certified monitors made from recycled ocean plastics.[37] Lenovo senior executive Stefan Engel announced that within a few years, 100% of Lenovo's monitors business would be using Eyesafe technology for blue light mitigation.[38] Additionally, Acer Inc. announced that its Predator gaming monitor lineup would be 100% Eyesafe at CES 2021.

Industry consolidation around the Eyesafe standard[]

At CES 2021 came during an event moderated by CNN journalist Arick Wierson on the future of display, in which TÜV Rheinland senior executive Kalyan Varma told the audience that TÜV Rheinland, the world's largest independent third-party certification body, would begin consolidating all low blue light certifications in the industry around the Eyesafe standard by the end of 2021,[39] a move that would consolidate the electronics industry around a single low blue light standard.

References[]

  1. ^ "Healthe, The Global Blue Light Technology and Industry Standards Leader Announces 'Eyesafe' As New Corporate Name". October 8, 2019.
  2. ^ Publications, Harvard Health. "Blue light has a dark side - Harvard Health". Retrieved 2016-10-03.
  3. ^ "Healthe Products Block high-energy visible blue light from digital devices | About Us". Healthe. Retrieved 2016-10-04.
  4. ^ "Health at the Forefront of Technology Announced at CES 2021". January 15, 2021.
  5. ^ Brainard, George C.; Hanifin, John P.; Greeson, Jeffrey M.; Byrne, Brenda; Glickman, Gena; Gerner, Edward; Rollag, Mark D. (2001-08-15). "Action Spectrum for Melatonin Regulation in Humans: Evidence for a Novel Circadian Photoreceptor". The Journal of Neuroscience. 21 (16): 6405–6412. ISSN 0270-6474.
  6. ^ a b c TEGNA. "Protecting eyes from technology's blue light". Retrieved 2016-10-03.
  7. ^ "Digiteyezed: the daily impact of digital screens on the eye health of americans" (PDF). www.thevisioncouncil.org. The Vision Council. October 3, 2016. Retrieved October 3, 2016.
  8. ^ "Computer Vision Syndrome". www.aoa.org. Retrieved 2016-10-03.
  9. ^ "Eyestrain Causes - Mayo Clinic". www.mayoclinic.org. Retrieved 2016-10-03.
  10. ^ "Is Blue Light the Tobacco of the Digital Age?". December 20, 2018.
  11. ^ Pasarow, Anabel. "What Is Dark Mode — & Do You Need To Use It On Your Devices?". www.refinery29.com.
  12. ^ "Bill Text - SCR-73 Blue Light Awareness Day". leginfo.legislature.ca.gov.
  13. ^ "California Blue Light Resolution SCR-73".
  14. ^ the electronics indus
  15. ^ Staff, R. O. "California Looks to Dim Blue Lights". www.reviewofoptometry.com.
  16. ^ "EHP – White Light–Emitting Diodes (LEDs) at Domestic Lighting Levels and Retinal Injury in a Rat Model". ehp.niehs.nih.gov. Retrieved 2016-10-03.
  17. ^ a b "See me, hear me, touch me, feel me". Retrieved 2016-10-03.
  18. ^ "Product review: 3M and two smaller local companies offer ever-enhanced screen protection systems". Retrieved 2016-10-03.
  19. ^ Miller, Matthew. "InvisibleShield Glass+ VisionGuard for Apple iPhone XS Max: Protection for your screen and your eyes". ZDNet. Retrieved 2019-05-11.
  20. ^ "Children's Vision and Electronic Devices | Prevent Blindness". www.preventblindness.org. Retrieved 2016-10-03.
  21. ^ "UnitedHealthcare Eye Care Program Helps Support Children's Eye Health by Reducing Exposure to Blue Light Amid COVID-19". www.businesswire.com. October 6, 2020.
  22. ^ "With Screen Time Skyrocketing, Can New Tech Save Eyes From Blue Light Burnout?". July 9, 2020.
  23. ^ Inc, ZAGG (2018-08-30). "InvisibleShield Partners with Healthe to Infuse Innovative Eyesafe Technology into Screen Protection Line-Up". GlobeNewswire News Room. Retrieved 2019-05-11.
  24. ^ "TÜV Rheinland Announces New Standard for Blue Light Filtration Certification of Digital Device Accessory Screen Protection with Eye Safety Leader Healthe | us | TÜV Rheinland". www.tuv.com. Retrieved 2019-05-11.
  25. ^ "Dell's innovative Eyesafe Display lowers harmful blue light emissions in laptops - MSPoweruser".
  26. ^ Grunin, Lori. "Dell and EyeSafe partner to tackle the blue light blues". CNET.
  27. ^ "BOE to unseat LGD as top FPD supplier in 2019, says IHS". DIGITIMES.
  28. ^ "BOE Announces New Eyesafe Display Solutions Achieving Industry Leading Low Blue Light and Full Color Performance". June 23, 2020.
  29. ^ News 1, Michael Guta In Small Business (September 23, 2020). "Leading Tech Companies Are Highlighting Blue Light Awareness".
  30. ^ Eyesafe. "Dell, HP, Lenovo and Acer to Announce New Eyesafe Products at the Blue Light Summit 2020 Presented by UnitedHealthcare, Eyesafe and TÜV Rheinland". www.prnewswire.com. Retrieved 2021-03-27.
  31. ^ "Introducing 'The World's First Eyesafe Certified TV Display' | Radio & Television Business Report". January 12, 2021.
  32. ^ "LG Unveils World's First Eyesafe-Certified TV Display Ahead of CES 2021". NDTV Gadgets 360.
  33. ^ "LG shows off the world's first Eyesafe certified TV display". SlashGear. January 7, 2021.
  34. ^ "Chinese flat-panel maker to surpass LG as world's largest". Nikkei Asia.
  35. ^ "Health at the Forefront of Technology Announced at CES 2021". www.prnewswire.com.
  36. ^ Moorhead, Patrick. "Dell's XPS Design Moves Towards Its Commercial Line Of Devices". Forbes.
  37. ^ Medley, Sam. "HP's M-Series FHD monitors are the world's first Eyesafe certified displays made from recycled plastic". Notebookcheck.
  38. ^ "Stefan Engel, VP & GM, Visuals Business Lenovo | CES 2021 from Blue Light Summit on Vimeo". player.vimeo.com.
  39. ^ "G. KALYAN VARMA VP TÜV Rheinland | CES 2021 from Blue Light Summit on Vimeo". player.vimeo.com.
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