The Vision Council (TVC) Foundation has officially launched its 2025 National Sunglasses Day campaign, set for June 27, with a lineup of new initiatives, event details, and industry partnerships aimed at raising awareness about the importance of UV-protective eyewear. According to TVC’s latest research, nearly 40% of US adults do not wear sunglasses regularly, despite the risks of prolonged UV exposure.
This year’s campaign will feature a special event in New York City on June 26, the evening before National Sunglasses Day, that will bring together media, influencers, and industry professionals. The event will include an expert panel on UV risks and sunglass innovation, interactive product displays, and sun safety education.
In a press release about the event, TVC listed some of the risks of sun exposure:
- UV radiation from the sun can burn the surface of the eyes.
- Unprotected UV exposure can lead to serious eye health issues including cataracts, macular degeneration, growths and cancer on or near the eye.
- UV damage is cumulative, meaning that the risk grows the more time you spend outdoors without proper protection.
- Surfaces like snow, water, and sand are known to reflect UV rays, almost doubling the intensity of exposure to your eyes.
- Wearing sunglasses that block UV rays can protect your eyes from dangerous exposure.
New for 2025, TVC Foundation announced a partnership with AccuWeather to expand public education on UV safety. The collaboration will include the integration of AccuWeather’s proprietary AccuLumen brightness index, a tool that measures daily brightness on a scale of one to 10, to help individuals assess sun exposure risks. The index will be featured on TVC Foundation’s website this summer.
The campaign will also feature digital activations encouraging consumers to share their #SunglassSelfies and sun-safe tips across social media. TVC Foundation continues to offer a free digital toolkit with customizable marketing materials, educational resources, and promotional assets for eyecare providers and retailers to participate in the awareness effort.