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5 reasons why your sunglasses make you weak!

5 reasons why your sunglasses make you weak!

The sun comes out and the first thing most people think about is where they put their sunglasses over the winter. Clearly, I need my sunglasses!

Well, there are different reasons why we want to wear sunglasses. Most see the glasses as a fashion accessory. But many also have problems with the intensity of the sun, which is justified in extreme situations like on a glacier in the snow or a sailing trip. And then there is a fringe group who wear their sunglasses for medical reasons.

There are some stories, e.g. by Dr. John Ott, Dr. Albert Schweizer or Fritz Hollwich, who have noticed that health complaints have arisen in connection with sunglasses but also normal glasses in their practices. Dr. John Ott's book on this subject is highly recommended(Health and Light, ISBN: 0898040981).

You can also find out more about this story in our YouTube video.

Why are sunglasses bad for you?

Were you born with sunglasses? No.

It is only the modern western world that has started to market sunglasses as an accessory and make them trendy. But nature actually intended natural light to shine into our eyes. This regulates physiological processes that influence our entire bodily functions. (1)

You may have heard of the circadian rhythm. This is our inner clock and especially in the morning natural light is important to synchronise our body with the day. Only then can a healthy regulation between cortisol and melatonin take place in your body.

Lichtblock Intensity Lux spectrum with and without sunglasses

  • If you listen to scientists like Dr Andrew Hubermann and Dr Alexander Wunsch, it is essential to see natural light in the morning. As soon as you have glasses, sunglasses, contact lenses or a window in between, it is no longer natural and automatically becomes "artificial light". This ensures that important wavelengths such as UVA light and infrared light are filtered out. In addition, the illuminance (measured in lux) is reduced. We humans need more than 10000 lux for several minutes in the morning to set our internal clock correctly. If you immediately put on glasses or sunglasses, your body may not get the right stimulus. There are some interesting studies that clearly show that people who have been exposed exclusively to artificial light during the day produce less melatonin at night and therefore sleep quality suffers. (2) (3)
  • When natural light hits your eyes, it has many positive effects. Dopamine is formed in the eye (4) or aromatic amino acids such as tryptophan absorb the UV light (5), which in turn regulates health processes. UV light also has an influence on the pituitary gland, where the hormone MSH (melanocyte-stimulating hormone) is produced (6). This hormone ensures that the pigment melanin is produced in the body to protect you from sunburn, for example. Sunglasses can interfere with all these natural processes.
  • Next factor: You block infrared light. This light is important for your entire eye and especially for the retina. Cells like retinal pigment epithelium depend on this light to produce enough melatonin during the day to cope with oxidative stress in the eye. You read correctly, melatonin is also produced by our mitochondria during the day. (7) Other positive effects of infrared light, such as the influence on ATP production or the fourth phase of water, can be found in our blog articles. The whole concept of photobiomodulation (red light) has a very special value here.
  • Wearing sunglasses irritates the human body and makes us more prone to mood swings. Some experts even talk about an increased risk of depression. (8)
  • If your sunglasses do not have real UV protection, this can lead to further problems. Your pupils adjust to the filtered light, suggesting to your eye that it is evening, and your pupils dilate. So more UV light than usual hits your retina. The same is true after sunset, your eyes are not used to seeing intense blue light at night. This can have negative effects on you and your well-being. That's why we offer our Blueblocker glasses. These absorb 100% of the artificial blue light and prevent it from reaching your retina in the first place.

How do you get your eyes used to natural sunlight again?

  • Listen to your body! Do not look directly at the sun or work in direct sunlight during midday in high summer.
  • In spring, start going outside more often and enjoy the sun without glasses. If you can, watch the sunrise. The infrared light of the morning and evening sun has a positive effect on your eyes.
  • Your body and eyes are adapted to seasonal rhythms. For example, if you are on holiday in the south, give yourself and your eyes time to get used to the new conditions and don't go out into the blazing sun as soon as you arrive. This will do you more harm than good.
  • If there is a medical reason or an extreme situation such as skiing in the mountains, wear good quality sunglasses. Otherwise, try to avoid them as often as possible. From our point of view, you will promote your well-being and your sleep will improve.

One of our main concerns at Lichtblock is to show you ways to live wisely in our modern world. Of course you can wear your sunglasses, just always be aware that it is unnatural and was not intended by nature. Whenever we move away from the natural lifestyle, we may face consequences sooner or later.

Cat: @twenty20photos via Envato Elements

Sources:

  • (1) Benefits of Sunlight: A Bright Spot for Human Health ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
  • (2) Twenty-four-hour patterns of pineal melatonin and pituitary and plasma prolactin in male rats under 'natural' and artificial lighting conditions pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
  • (3) Low illumination experienced by San Diego adults: association with atypical depressive symptoms pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
  • (4) Sunshine-exposure variation of human striatal dopamine D(2)/D(3) receptor availability in healthy volunteers pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
  • (5) How UV Light Touches the Brain and Endocrine System Through Skin, and Why ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
  • (6) Melanocyte-stimulating hormone yourhormones.info
  • (7) Melatonin's neuroprotective role in mitochondria and its potential as a biomarker in aging, cognition and psychiatric disorders nature.com
  • (8) Sunglasses May Play a Role in Depression bibliomed.org

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The blue light filter goggles Work&Play from Lichtblock surprised me in a positive way. The glasses not only offer effective protection against harmful blue light, but are also extremely comfortable to wear. The design is modern and appealing, and the lenses are of high quality.

I wear the glasses both at work on the computer and in my free time and could clearly feel how my eyes were less strained. The glasses have protected my eyes from dryness and fatigue and helped me to see better and feel more focused.

The glasses are also very robust and well made. I am convinced of the quality and benefits of the Work&Play and can recommend them to anyone who spends long hours in front of screens.
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Felix

Felix Weiss
Capri Work+Play - Workplace/Gaming Blueblocker Glasses Tortoise
Great for work and TV in the evening

I am very satisfied. The glasses filter blue light very well. They also feel very comfortable for the eyes. I usually use them in the evening when watching TV or when office work lasts longer into the evening. I haven't had any more eye pain since then.

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Sera Work+Play - Workplace/Gaming Blueblocker glasses
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The first evening was of course a bit unusual, due to the fact that everything is perceived more orange. From the 2nd evening, however, this was no longer a problem. Even when watching movies, I do not feel any impairment by the colored lens, only light blue colors are perceived slightly differently.

Fall asleep much faster and better through the glasses

Patrik
Letto Sleep - Blueblocker glasses
Evening habit, better sleep

I wear the glasses for almost a month in the evening and find that I fall asleep much better and also through. I am very satisfied, although a wider range of shapes would be nicer.

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Super 👍🏻

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Oro Sleep - Blueblocker glasses
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Thought I have also my 16 year old son now to order one! ;)

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