Simply wearing a pair of special glasses may improve sleep!
The brain perceives light, especially the blue component of white light, like daylight. Melatonin, the “hormone of darkness”, is only produced when light is very low or absent. Melatonin is important for the brain’s clock to realize it’s time to sleep. Light bulbs, computers, and televisions all produce a great deal of blue light. This light blocks the brain’s natural melatonin production and can tell your brain “wake up!” even though it’s the night.
Amber lenses block blue light. The brain is fooled into thinking it is dark and allows melatonin to be produced. We suggest that you put the lenses on an hour or two before bedtime. Do not remove them until you have turned all lights out. Most people will find it helps them fall asleep faster, especially after one or two week’s use.
These lenses are also excellent for night shift workers. If possible, shift workers should put on blue-blockers an hour or two before the end of the shift. At least, they should put them on right before leaving the building to make sure they don’t get morning light exposure (if they drive, very dark lenses are better. The amber lenses can make green lights hard to see). Morning light will interfere with the ability to get to sleep during the daytime.
You can get these glasses at the front desk of the Sleep or Pulmonary Medicine department, 3rd floor of the Asbury building of the Corvallis Clinic, as well as at the Waverly Clinic. The Ultraspecs style fits over most eyeglasses, while the Skyper style does not. Both styles are available for $10. If you have larger eyeglasses, a true over-the-glasses style is available only over the internet (lowbluelights.com) for $80.
