Eye Care Day (Me no Aigo Day)

What is Eye Care Day?

October 10th is "Eye Care Day" in Japan. It began as "Eyesight Preservation Day," established in 1931 by the Central Welfare Association for the Blind, and was given its current name by the Ministry of Health and Welfare (now the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare) in 1947. The date is also widely loved for a clever visual reason: turn "10/10" on its side and the numbers resemble a pair of eyebrows and eyes (1 0 1 0). For modern people, who receive roughly 80% of their information through sight, this is a day to appreciate our eyes—our most important "device"—and check in on their health.

Historical facts and public health around the "gateway to information"

Eye health campaigns have played an important role in protecting Japan's workforce and improving educational environments throughout its modernization.

• From eradicating trachoma to fighting nearsightedness: Eradicating trachoma, once a leading cause of blindness, was once the major goal. Today, the priority has shifted to addressing "digital eye strain" (VDT syndrome), which has grown alongside one-device-per-student programs and the spread of remote work.
• A global pursuit of "vision quality": Beyond simply being able to "see," eye care today focuses on managing blue light exposure and maintaining contrast sensitivity—engineering approaches to enhancing quality of life (QOL) that have become a global standard.

How "organizing visual information" resets brain fatigue

Resting your eyes is a scientifically sound strategy for reducing the brain's main energy expenditure and restoring mental clarity.

• Freeing up the brain's processing power: Most of the brain's active energy is devoted to processing visual information. Closing your eyes or gazing into the distance calms overactivity in the occipital lobe and redirects resources to the prefrontal cortex, which governs executive function.
• The effectiveness of the "20-20-20 rule": Every 20 minutes, look at something 20 feet (about 6 meters) away for 20 seconds. This simple routine physically relaxes the ciliary muscles that focus the eyes, and has been shown to reduce stress hormones.

Smart facts about the eyes

• Lutein's blue-light filtering: Lutein, a pigment found in the macula of the retina, acts as a natural "pair of sunglasses," absorbing harmful short-wavelength light and protecting the eyes from oxidative stress. Getting enough lutein through diet is a logical defense strategy.
• "Smart contact lenses" of 2026: Medical contact lenses now exist that can automatically measure intraocular pressure and monitor blood glucose levels. The eye is evolving from being just an "information input port" into a "sensor" that outputs health data.
• "Blinking" and the brain's reset: We blink roughly 15-20 times per minute, but this isn't just for moisture. At the moment of a blink, brain networks briefly switch "off," functioning as an "intelligent shutter" that segments information.
• Color psychology and "forest green": Green, positioned in the middle of the visible spectrum, places the least strain on the retina and brings deep relaxation to the brain via the visual cortex. Designing environments with "eye-friendly colors" directly supports productivity.
• The difference between "visual acuity" and "vision": Being able to read letters on an eye chart is "visual acuity." Tracking moving objects, judging distance, and integrating information is "vision." Maintaining this complex process is essential literacy for navigating modern life.

Ideas for spending Eye Care Day

• On October 10th (Eye Care Day), check your own screen time and set aside one hour of the day for a complete "digital blackout"—no screens at all. This clears mental noise and resets your focus for the second half of the fiscal year.
• Spend five minutes simply gazing at a distant view. Focusing on infinity physically widens the rigid "frame" of your thinking and helps invite new ideas.
• Improve circulation around your eyes with a warm compress. Using heat to activate the parasympathetic nervous system can scientifically improve sleep quality and maximize your "visual cortex resolution" the next day.
• Take a moment to appreciate the act of "seeing." Beautiful scenery, the expression on a loved one's face, a book that imparts knowledge. Taking care of your eyes—your windows to the world—is the same as polishing the "lens of your heart" through which you view the world positively.

Your clear gaze reflecting the world brings vivid discoveries and sharp intelligence into daily life, and your steady vision looking toward the future grants you real energy to build a richer tomorrow

October 10th is a day to give heartfelt rest to your eyes, which you've been overworking amid a torrent of information. The eyes are an extension of the brain—when your eyes are tired, your mind is tired too. Over the past six months, have you been so absorbed in small screens that you forgot to take in the wider world? Today, close your screens for a little while and slowly gaze at the deepening scenery of autumn, or into the eyes of someone close to you. The fresh perspective that comes from well-rested, healthy eyes will be the driving force to move through the new season more vividly and with greater confidence than ever. Let's welcome a wonderful autumn with a refreshed rhythm.