Protective effect of blue-light shield eyewear for adults against light pollution from self-luminous devices used at night

Chronobiol Int. 2016;33(1):134-9. doi: 10.3109/07420528.2015.1119158. Epub 2016 Jan 5.

Abstract

We investigated sleep quality and melatonin in 12 adults who wore blue-light shield or control eyewear 2 hours before sleep while using a self-luminous portable device, and assessed visual quality for the two eyewear types. Overnight melatonin secretion was significantly higher after using the blue-light shield (P < 0.05) than with the control eyewear. Sleep efficacy and sleep latency were significantly superior for wearers of the blue-light shield (P < 0.05 for both), and this group reported greater sleepiness during portable device use compared to those using the control eyewear. Participants rated the blue-light shield as providing acceptable visual quality.

Keywords: Blue-light; eye fatigue; eyewear; light pollution; melatonin; retinal ganglion cells; sleep.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Circadian Rhythm / physiology*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Light*
  • Male
  • Melatonin / therapeutic use
  • Photoperiod*
  • Sleep Disorders, Circadian Rhythm / drug therapy
  • Sleep Disorders, Circadian Rhythm / therapy*
  • Sleep Stages / drug effects*
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • Melatonin