Students at Marquette High School are addressing a contemporary health concern that impacts nearly everyone: digital eye strain resulting from extended screen time.
Anshu Rajoli and Tanujha Manikandan, both juniors and members of Health Occupations Students of America (HOSA), have dedicated the last few months to informing the public about blue light exposure, its possible effects on eye health, and straightforward methods to safeguard vision.
“Our aim is to raise awareness about the implications of excessive screen time among community members by offering clear information that can help,” Rajoli states. “We want to educate them on simple practices that can promote long-term eye health.”
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Blue light is naturally present, with sunlight being its main source, and plays a role in regulating the body’s sleep cycle. However, artificial blue light emitted from smartphones, LED televisions, and computer screens—especially during nighttime—can disturb that cycle by signaling to the brain that it’s still daytime. Prolonged exposure can also lead to eye strain and fatigue.
“Many people are not fully aware of what blue light actually is, which is part of what motivated us to continue this campaign,” Manikandan explains. “They might have heard the term but don’t understand how it impacts them. People always seem to have a lot of inquiries after our presentations.”
This initiative is a component of a broader HOSA competition that encompasses environmental, mental, physical, and societal topics. To enhance awareness, the team initiated a social media campaign, collaborated with local media outlets, and conducted presentations in schools such as Crestwood Middle School—all aimed at reaching 100,000 individuals. By mid-March, they had exceeded that target significantly. They showcased their efforts at the state conference in March.
“Being part of HOSA has really expanded our network of people we’re engaging with,” Manikandan shares. “We’ve simplified our message to make it more accessible. It’s about connecting the information to their everyday lives rather than just presenting research, so they can see how it relates to them.”
While products like blue light glasses are heavily marketed, one of the easiest methods to alleviate eye strain is the 20-20-20 rule: every 20 minutes, gaze at something at least 20 feet away for 20 seconds. This practice can help mitigate fatigue caused by extended screen exposure.
“It effectively refocuses your eyes,” Rajoli remarks. “That’s more of a baseline. Taking longer breaks is even more beneficial, but this is the quickest way to lessen blue light damage.”
