Filtering blue light may help regulate melatonin

CHICAGO – Blue light-filtering spectacle lenses were found to help regulate melatonin levels and may be used in certain populations to lessen the effects of light exposure at night, researchers reported here at the American Academy of Optometry meeting.

Ryab-Quang Van, a student at Nova Southeastern University College of Optometry, Ft. Lauderdale, Fla., and colleagues studied the effects of altering short wavelength blue light exposure on subjects’ evening melatonin levels, sleep onset, mood and cognition, according to the study abstract.

Twenty-four undergraduate students wore glasses containing either BluTech Lenses (which filter blue light) or clear lenses with antireflective coating only, both with black-out side shields, after 6 p.m. for 5 days.

The researchers stated in the abstract that actigraphy watches recorded nightly sleep patterns. In addition, saliva samples were collected on the last evening to quantify melatonin levels, and self-reported mood and neurobehavioral performance were assessed with the NIH Toolbox Emotion and Cognition Batteries.

A significant increase in melatonin levels was measured in the BluTech Lens group compared to controls (9.6 vs. 4.9; p = 0.036), according to the study abstract. Sleep onset latency was slightly, but not statistically significantly, reduced with BluTech Lenses. Pattern comparison was significantly improved, and perceived hostility was significantly reduced in the BluTech group. Other aspects of cognition and mood were not significantly different.

The researchers concluded in the abstract: “BluTech Lenses appear to help regulate melatonin and can potentially be applied to at-risk populations (eg, shift workers or students who spend nighttime hours studying with electronic devices) in order to lessen the deleterious effects of light exposure at night.”

“The concept of harmful blue light has been gaining attention. Blue light is made out to cause many health problems,” Van said in a press release from BluTech.

“Our conclusion is that BluTech Lenses appear to help regulate melatonin, which may improve sleep and cognition,” he said.

BluTech LLC President Greg Naes said in the release: “It validates what patients have been telling us all along. In our own evaluations of thousands of BluTech wearers, nine out of 10 said that they noticed ‘significant sleep improvement.’ Now we have independent data that indicates why.” – by Nancy Hemphill, ELS, FAAO

Reference:

Van R-Q, et al. Effects of BluTech Lenses on melatonin, sleep, mood and neurobehavioral performance. Presented at: American Academy of Optometry meeting; Chicago; Oct. 10-14, 2017.

Disclosure: Van reported no relevant financial disclosures.