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Chronobiology International

The Journal of Biological and Medical Rhythm Research

ISSN: 0742-0528 (Print) 1525-6073 (Online) Journal homepage: http://www.tandfonline.com/loi/icbi20

Wearing blue light-blocking glasses in the evening


advances circadian rhythms in the patients with
delayed sleep phase disorder: An open-label trial

Yuichi Esaki, Tsuyoshi Kitajima, Yasuhiro Ito, Shigefumi Koike, Yasumi


Nakao, Akiko Tsuchiya, Marina Hirose & Nakao Iwata

To cite this article: Yuichi Esaki, Tsuyoshi Kitajima, Yasuhiro Ito, Shigefumi Koike,
Yasumi Nakao, Akiko Tsuchiya, Marina Hirose & Nakao Iwata (2016): Wearing blue
light-blocking glasses in the evening advances circadian rhythms in the patients with
delayed sleep phase disorder: An open-label trial, Chronobiology International, DOI:
10.1080/07420528.2016.1194289

To link to this article: http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/07420528.2016.1194289

Published online: 20 Jun 2016.

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Download by: [University of Kentucky Libraries] Date: 21 June 2016, At: 04:58
CHRONOBIOLOGY INTERNATIONAL
http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/07420528.2016.1194289

Wearing blue light-blocking glasses in the evening advances circadian rhythms


in the patients with delayed sleep phase disorder: An open-label trial
Yuichi Esakia, Tsuyoshi Kitajimaa, Yasuhiro Itob, Shigefumi Koikec, Yasumi Nakaoc, Akiko Tsuchiyaa,
Marina Hirosea, and Nakao Iwataa
a
Department of Psychiatry, Fujita Health University School of Medicine, Aichi, Japan; bDepartment of Physiology, Fujita Health University
School of Health Sciences, Aichi, Japan; cDepartment of Sleep Medicine, Toyohashi Mates Sleep Disorders Center, Aichi, Japan

ABSTRACT ARTICLE HISTORY


It has been recently discovered that blue wavelengths form the portion of the visible electro- Received 23 March 2016
magnetic spectrum that most potently regulates circadian rhythm. We investigated the effect of Revised 11 May 2016
blue light-blocking glasses in subjects with delayed sleep phase disorder (DSPD). This open-label Accepted 23 May 2016
Downloaded by [University of Kentucky Libraries] at 04:58 21 June 2016

trial was conducted over 4 consecutive weeks. The DSPD patients were instructed to wear blue KEYWORDS
light-blocking amber glasses from 21:00 p.m. to bedtime, every evening for 2 weeks. To ascertain Delayed sleep phase
the outcome of this intervention, we measured dim light melatonin onset (DLMO) and actigraphic disorder; amber lens; blue
sleep data at baseline and after the treatment. Nine consecutive DSPD patients participated in this light; sleep onset; dim light
study. Most subjects could complete the treatment with the exception of one patient who hoped melatonin onset
for changing to drug therapy before the treatment was completed. The patients who used amber
lens showed an advance of 78 min in DLMO value, although the change was not statistically
significant (p = 0.145). Nevertheless, the sleep onset time measured by actigraph was advanced by
132 min after the treatment (p = 0.034). These data suggest that wearing amber lenses may be an
effective and safe intervention for the patients with DSPD. These findings also warrant replication
in a larger patient cohort with controlled observations.

Introduction administration is considered the first-line treat-


ment. Meta-analysis and guidelines have suggested
Delayed sleep phase disorder (DSPD) is a chronic
clinical benefits of using melatonin in the patients
condition characterized by the persistent inability
who require treatment for DSPD (Auger et al.,
to fall asleep and wake up at conventional times
2015; van Geijlswijk et al., 2010). However, in
(Weitzman et al., 1981). In the patients with
Japan, it is hard to use melatonin for treatment
DSPD, sleep onset is often delayed until early
in clinical practice because it is not available as a
morning, and when no attempt is made to con-
formally approved drug. Ramelteon – a melatonin
form to the environment, their usual rise time may
receptor agonist – was approved for the treatment of
even be in the early afternoon. Sleep architecture
insomnia in Japan (Uchiyama et al., 2011) . Studies
and maintenance are not usually disrupted in
show that ramelteon advances the phase of the circa-
DSPD (Regestein & Monk, 1995); however, when
dian rhythm in healthy adults and decreases sleep
the patients attempt to advance their bedtime,
latency in healthy adults with jet lag-associated sleep
severe sleep-onset insomnia is experienced. It is
disturbances (Richardson et al., 2008; Zee et al., 2010).
also difficult or impossible for them to have a
Ramelteon may likewise advance the circadian
socially “normal” or “typical” rise time. If this
rhythm in the DSPD patients; however, to our knowl-
regimen continues on a long-term basis, daytime
edge, there are no reports on this. Another treatment
sleepiness ensues. Onset of DSPD can occur at any
that has been tried in the patients with DSPD is
age, but initial onset most commonly occurs dur-
bright-light therapy, which causes a phase advance
ing adolescence (Wagner, 1996).
of circadian rhythm (Rosenthal et al., 1990).
As for the pharmacological approaches to the
However, the patients with DSPD must receive
treatment of DSPD, exogenous melatonin

CONTACT Yuichi Esaki esakiz@fujita-hu.ac.jp Department of Psychiatry, Fujita Health University School of Medicine, Toyoake, Aichi 4701192, Japan.
Tel: +81-562-93-9250. Fax: +81-562-93-1831.
© 2016 Taylor & Francis
2 Y. ESAKI ET AL.

bright-light therapy in the morning (i.e., between shown to preserve normal evening nighttime mela-
6:00 a.m. and 9:00 a.m.). In the clinical context, com- tonin production in subjects exposed to light
pliance with this intervention may be a significant (Kayumov et al., 2005; Sasseville et al., 2006). One
problem, because a significant proportion of the randomized study of subjects with insomnia
DSPD patients are not able to wake up before noon demonstrated improvement in sleep quality and
and sometimes awaken even later. Despite increased mood in individuals wearing blue wavelength-
awareness of the prevalence and impact of DSPD, blocking glasses, compared with a placebo group
there are limited existing treatment options and the (Burkhart & Phelps, 2009). Daytime use of such
need for new interventions. glasses in permanent night-shift workers resulted in
The circadian pacemaker responds differentially longer sleep, improved daytime sleep efficiency (SE)
to the resetting effects of light, depending on the and reduced sleep fragmentation (Sasseville et al.,
circadian phase of light exposure. Morning light 2009). A similar open-label study of attention deficit
advances circadian rhythms, whereas light in the hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) with insomnia has
evening induces circadian phase delays (Khalsa also demonstrated improved global Pittsburgh Sleep
et al., 2003). The impact of light on the circadian Quality Index scores in the subjects wearing blue
Downloaded by [University of Kentucky Libraries] at 04:58 21 June 2016

timing system is classically measured by suppres- wavelength-blocking glasses (Fargason et al., 2013).
sion of the “darkness hormone” melatonin, a key However, to the best of our knowledge, there have
circadian phase marker secreted only during the been no studies investigating the potential benefits of
night (Lewy et al., 1980). These responses are blue light-blocking glasses in improving the circa-
mediated by a subset of retinal ganglion cells con- dian rhythms of the DSPD patients without ADHD.
taining the photopigment melanopsin, which is We hypothesized that wearing blue light-blocking
most sensitive to blue light wavelengths (around glasses in the evening could advance the circadian
480 nm) (Brainard et al., 2001; Thapan et al., 2001) rhythms of the DSPD patients.
and transmit light signals via the retinohypothala-
mic tract directly to the suprachiasmatic nuclei
(Hattar et al., 2002). Materials and methods
In modern society, evening light exposure has
Subjects
been shown to worsen circadian rhythms
(Burgess & Molina, 2014). A significant propor- The study protocol was approved by the ethics com-
tion of light produced by light-emitting diode mittee of Toyohashi Mates Sleep Disorders Center.
(LED) screens is of short wavelength (blue and All patients provided written informed consent, con-
blue–green). Accordingly, the light emitted by firming that they understood the goals, risks and
tablet screens can suppress melatonin (Wood potential benefits of the study, and their right to with-
et al., 2013). A 5-h LED screen exposure in the draw from the study at any time. The patients with an
evening has been found not only to suppress established diagnosis of DSPD according to the stan-
melatonin secretion but also to increase subjec- dard criteria of the International Classification of
tive and objective alertness in young adults Sleep Disorders, second edition (ICSD-2), were
(Cajochen et al., 2011). Therefore, controlling light enrolled (American Academy of Sleep Medicine.,
exposure in the evening, especially short-wavelength 2006). Diagnoses were made on the basis of both the
light produced by modern-day LED-enriched envir- ICSD-2 and a clinical interview conducted by a
onments, could make a potent intervention to coun- psychiatrist-sleep specialist. All patients completed a
ter circadian rhythm disturbance. sleep log at least 1 week before the study, and this log
Since neural pathways from the retina to the was used to confirm the clinical diagnosis. Exclusion
primary circadian pacemaker in the suprachias- criteria included shift working, alcohol or drug abuse,
matic nucleus respond only to short-wavelength and severe psychiatric or neurological disorders. We
light of <550 nm, physiological darkness can be accessed 15 patients with DSPD and obtained the
produced by the use of blue wavelength-blocking agreement for the study in case of 10 patients with
glasses with the advantage of continued evening DSPD. However, one of the patients canceled their
functioning. Blue light-blocking glasses have been medical examination before the baseline assessment.
CHRONOBIOLOGY INTERNATIONAL 3

Study design and conduct Innovations Institute, OH, USA) and we bought
the glasses for this study. Figure 2 shows the light
This open-label trial was conducted over 4 con-
transmission data of amber lenses provided by the
secutive weeks. Figure 1 illustrates the design of
manufacturer. The patients were instructed to remove
the study. The first week was the baseline
the glasses only when in the dark (glasses were not
assessment period. Activity data were recorded
worn overnight). Also, because even limited exposure
by Motionlogger® Micro Watch actigraph
to light (> 80 lux) has been shown to suppress mela-
(Ambulatory Monitoring, Inc., Ardsley, NY,
tonin (Zeitzer et al., 2000), the patients were specifi-
USA) during this week, while the patients
cally instructed to avoid exposing their eyes directly to
were engaged in their usual evening activities.
light without wearing their protective lenses after
On one day during this period, saliva samples
donning their glasses in the evening. In the last
were collected for melatonin measurement (as
week, actigraphic recording and saliva melatonin col-
described later). In the following 2 weeks, the
lection were conducted again while the patients were
patients were instructed to wear amber glasses
wearing amber glasses. The patients were instructed
that blocked wavelengths of light from 530 nm
to maintain their same daily routine during the study,
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and below (blue and violet wavelengths of light)


with the only change being wearing glasses in the
from 21:00 p.m. until bedtime every evening. The
evening. During the study, the use of multimedia
glasses were manufactured by LowBlueLights.com
devices (e.g., cell phones, computers and televisions)
(Photonic Developments LLC and the Lighting
in the evening was not limited or prohibited; the

Figure 1. Study design.

LowBlue Glasses Transmission

100
90
80
70
Transmission (%)

60
50
40
30
20
10
0
400 425 450 475 500 525 550 575 600 625 650 675 700
Wavelength (nm)

Figure 2. The light transmission data of amber lens as detailed by LowBlueLights.com (Photonic Developments LLC and the Lighting
Innovations Institute, OH, USA).
4 Y. ESAKI ET AL.

subjects were not instructed regarding morning light the treatment. Actigraphs, worn on the nondomi-
exposure. nant wrist, recorded the amount of movement at 1-
min epochs, 24 h/day. Actigraph data were con-
verted into sleep parameters by the validated auto-
Outcome measures
matic actigraphy scoring algorithm (Cole et al., 1992)
Dim light melatonin onset using sleep log-derived lights out and rise time, and
DLMO is defined as the clock time at which the by subsequent manual verification based on sleep log
endogenous melatonin level starts to rise in the data including sleep onset time (SOT), wake-up time
subjective evening, and it is considered the most (WUT), total sleep time (TST) and SE.
reliable phase marker of the biological clock
rhythm (Klerman et al., 2002). DLMO was
assessed at the first week (baseline) and the last
Statistical analysis
week (after the treatment). Salivary melatonin
samples were collected on one night at home by Our primary outcome measurements with respect
chewing on a cotton swab (Salivetten, Sarstedt, to efficacy were DLMO and sleep data (SOT,
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Germany) six times at hourly intervals between WUT, TST, SE). Data were analyzed for statistical
19:00 p.m. and 24:00. The patients were instructed significance using the two-tailed Student’s t-test
to stay at home during the measurements, to avoid (JMP® 10.0.2; SAS Institute Japan, Tokyo, Japan).
food intake within 20 min before the measure- The significance level was set at p < 0.05. Equality
ment, and to collect their samples under dim of variance was investigated by Levene test.
light conditions (< 10 lux) to avoid light-induced
suppression of melatonin secretion (Nagtegaal
et al., 1998). We confirmed the subjects had Results
adhered to giving samples under dim light con-
ditions (< 10 lux) using the Motionlogger® Micro We enrolled nine consecutive patients with DSPD
Watch actigraph, which can measure ambient (seven males and two females, mean age 18.11 ±
light. If the subject had received exposure to 3.18 years, range 15–22 years). Eight subjects could
light >10 lux during the measurements, we complete the treatment, and one of them violated the
defined the subject as “dropped out”. Melatonin protocol by receiving light exposure >10 lux during
concentrations were assayed in the laboratory of the measurements of saliva melatonin. One patient
the Fujita Health University. Enzyme immunoas- dropped out because he hoped for changing to drug
says were performed on all saliva samples in therapy from amber lens treatment before the study
duplicate using an enzyme linked immunosor- was completed. Our results are summarized in
bent assasy (ELISA) kit [Buhlmann Direct Saliva Table 1.
Melatonin ELISA (EK-DMS), Buhlmann
Laboratories AG., Germany]. DLMO was calcu- DLMO
lated as the linearly interpolated time of the first The mean DLMO clock time (±SD) before treat-
sample above 4 pg/mL that was preceded by a ment was 22:48 ± 1:21. After the treatment, this was
lower value (Duffy et al., 2008). In the patients earlier at 21:30 p.m. ± 1:25. The amber lens-treated
whose melatonin levels had reached 4 pg/mL patients showed an advance of 78 min in DLMO
before 19:00 p.m., or whose melatonin levels value [95% confidence interval (CI): −34 to 183
had not yet reached 4 pg/mL by 24:00, we min], although this was not statistically different
assumed that DLMO was at 19:00 p.m. or 24:00, compared with the value before the treatment [p =
respectively, as conservative estimates allowing 0.145, effect size (r) = 0.56; Table 2]. By employing
for their inclusion in the data analysis. 60 min as the minimum value for the establishment
of a phase shift, three patients showed an advance
Sleep data in their DLMO value, with four patients showing
Sleep data were estimated using actigraph and sleep no change (Table 1).
logs on seven consecutive days, at baseline and after
CHRONOBIOLOGY INTERNATIONAL 5

Table 1. Demographics and results of 9 DSPD patients under amber-lens treatment.


Sleep
DLMO (h: min) SOT (h: min) WUT (h: min) TST (min) SE (%)
Patient
no. Age Sex Baseline Treatment Baseline Treatment Baseline Treatment Baseline Treatment Baseline Treatment
1 19 M 22:20 22:18 0:19 0:04 8:00 8:03 437.14 438.86 95.58 92.76
2 22 M drop out (patient hoped for changing to drug therapy before the study was completed)
3 22 M 23:55 22:27 4:35 2:55 11:14 10:28 382.83 415.33 89.44 93.5
4 17 M 22:20 21:58 0:50 0:31 8:06 8:27 415.57 455.83 96.65 96.97
5 22 F 0:00 19:00 3:34 21:30 10:21 8:41 392.86 616.29 * 93.7
6 15 F 20:14 20:15 23:31 23:14 8:23 8:06 521.29 486.71 95.74 98.27
7 16 M 0:00 21:26 4:34 2:02 13:46 10:07 552.42 467.86 * 98.3
8 15 M drop out (due to protocol violation)
9 15 M 22:47 23:09 4:54 1:31 11:48 10:48 394.25 519.5 94.03 92.24
DLMO, Dim light melatonin onset; SOT, sleep onset time; WUT, wake-up time; TST, total sleep time; SE, sleep efficiency
* We were not able to analyze in actigraph

Table 2. Outcome variables.


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Baseline Treatment DLMO (h: min) Effect size (r)


Mean ± SD Mean ± SD Change 95% CI p-value
DLMO (h: min) 22:48 ± 1:21 21:30 ± 1:25 −1:18 −3:00 to 0:34 0.145 0.56
Sleep
SOT (h: min) 2:36 ± 2:18 0:23 ± 1:38 −2:12 −4:12 to −0:13 0.034 * 0.74
WUT (h: min) 10:14 ± 2:11 9:14 ± 1:10 −0:59 −2:14 to 0:15 0.099 0.62
TST (min) 442.33 ± 62.56 485.76 ± 61.59 43.28 −51 to 138 0.304 0.41
SE (%) 94.28 ± 2.56 95.10 ± 2.44 0.33 −3.1 to 4.0 0.738 0.17
DLMO, Dim Light Melatonin Onset; SOT, sleep onset time; WUT, wake-up time; TST, total sleep time; SE, sleep efficiency, *Statistically significant
difference (p < 0.05, two-sided)

Sleep advance in DLMO value and a 132 min advance in


The mean sleep onset clock time (±SD) before the SOT. The advance in SOT measured by actigraph
treatment was 2:36 ± 2:18. After the treatment, this was statistically different, although that of DLMO
was earlier at 0:23 ± 1:38. The amber lens-treated did not reach statistical significance. For the
patients showed an advance of 132 min in SOT (95% patients whose melatonin levels had reached 4
CI: 13–252 min), which was significantly earlier than pg/mL before 19:00 p.m. or had not yet reached
the value before the treatment (p = 0.034, r = 0.74; 4 pg/mL by 24:00, we assumed that DLMO was at
Table 2). After the treatment, four out of seven 19:00 p.m. or 24:00, respectively. This assumption
(57.1%) subjects, for whom actigraphic data were might however make the extent of the change in
available, showed an advance of >60 min in SOT DLMO less than the true value; thus, extending the
(Table 1). The mean actigraphic estimate of WUT measurement period may reveal a statistically sig-
advanced by 59 min with the treatment, although nificant advance also in DLMO value. A larger
this was not statistically different compared with the sample size may also reveal a significant difference
value before the treatment (p = 0.099, r = 0.62; here, particularly given that the effect size calcu-
Table 2). The changes before and after the treatment lated in our data was large (r = 0.56).
regarding other actigraphic sleep measures were not There were notable changes in individual cases.
statistically different. After the treatment, four out of seven (57.1%)
subjects, for whom actigraphic data were available,
showed an advance of >60 min in SOT.
Discussion Additionally, three of seven (42.8%) subjects
This is the first open-label trial, to our knowledge, showed an advance of >60 min in DLMO value.
that investigates the effect of blocking blue light on A study by Heijden et al. showed that after exo-
the circadian rhythm of the DSPD patients. genous melatonin administration, 20 of 41 chil-
Intervention using amber lens showed a 78 min dren (48.8%) for whom actigraphic data were
6 Y. ESAKI ET AL.

available had an advance of >30 min in SOT (Van next-day grogginess (Buscemi et al., 2005).
der Heijden et al., 2007). Our result may therefore Amber lenses might therefore also be useful for
be comparable with this melatonin study, showing the patients with DSPD who are unable to take
that half of the subjects have an acceptable clear exogenous melatonin or who are resistant to exo-
effect. Social, psychological and environmental genous melatonin treatment.
factors may also play significant roles in the devel- The mechanism for the beneficial effect of
opment of delayed sleep phase, and the diagnostic amber lenses on the DSPD remains unclear. A
criterion of DSPD by ICSD-2 admits the two fac- previous study has shown that larger melatonin
tors of chronobiologic and behavioral (American suppression and a greater phase delay can be
Academy of Sleep Medicine., 2006). The DSPD induced by shorter wavelengths light (blue, blue/
patients dominantly affected by social and envir- green and green) but not by larger wavelengths
onmental factors may not benefit from biological light (red and orange) (Wright & Lack, 2001).
treatment alone; simultaneous interventions for These melatonin modulations have also been
these factors remain an outstanding issue. reported to be induced by blue wavelength light
There have been previous reports regarding the emitted from cell phones, computers, and televi-
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effects of glasses on sleep disorders. A study of the sions (Cajochen et al., 2011; Chang et al., 2015;
efficacy of blue wavelength light-filtering glasses Gooley et al., 2010). In the patients with DSPD,
for insomnia subjects showed significant improve- sleep onset is often delayed until early morning.
ment in sleep quality and mood (as measured by a They often use the above-mentioned multimedia
sleep diary) compared with the use of yellow- devices in the evening when they cannot fall
tinted “control” glasses, with no change in sleep asleep; this results in a further insomnia and cir-
timing measures such as time to bed or wake-time cadian disturbance. It has been reported that mel-
following use (Burkhart & Phelps, 2009). A shift- atonin suppression is significantly lower after
work study investigating blue-blocking lenses also exposure to half blue light displays compared
showed improvement primarily in sleep quality with normal blue light displays (Komada et al.,
rather than circadian measures (Sasseville et al., 2015). Blocking light of low wavelengths in
2009). The results of this study build on these bright-light conditions can prevent the resulting
previous findings investigating the use of light- suppression of melatonin (Kayumov et al., 2005),
filtering glasses in sleep disorders. and perhaps the progression of the circadian delay.
No adverse effects following the usage of amber Wearing amber lenses may have the same effect as
lenses have been reported in previous studies and darkness. As a result, the sleep–wake rhythm of
our study (Burkhart & Phelps, 2009; Kayumov the DSPD patients wearing amber lenses advances
et al., 2005). We therefore consider that the use of because they can live a normal life while avoiding
amber lenses to block blue light is a safe treatment. blue light in the evening. Further, melatonin sup-
Indeed, it is hard to imagine a risk of amber glasses, pression by light exposure is higher in children
except for potential danger when they are worn than in adults because children have large pupils
while driving or potential increase in sleepiness. and pure crystal lenses (Higuchi et al., 2014).
Intervention using amber lens may be useful for Amber-lens treatment may be more effective in
the DSPD patients not only as monotherapy but the adolescent DSPD patients.
also in combination with exogenous melatonin This study has some limitations. First, this study
treatment or bright-light therapy. Bright-light was not a randomized controlled investigation.
therapy compliance is a problem for the DSPD Performing a randomized controlled trial using a
patients since it may be difficult for the DSPD placebo condition (e.g., yellow-tinted glasses that
patients to wake up in the morning. If the use of block only ultraviolet light) (Burkhart & Phelps,
amber lenses could advance the circadian rhythm 2009) would be necessary to confirm our findings.
of the DSPD patients, this might make it easier for Second, the patients were enrolled from one insti-
the DSPD patients to undergo bright-light therapy. tute, and the number of study subjects was small.
Although exogenous melatonin treatment causes Third, this study covered only a short period of
very few side effects, it can cause nausea and experimentation, only 2 weeks. A longer term
CHRONOBIOLOGY INTERNATIONAL 7

study is expected in the future. Fourth, if the Auger RR, Burgess HJ, Emens JS, Deriy LV, Thomas SM,
patients wearing the glasses could awaken earlier, Sharkey KM. (2015). Clinical Practice Guideline for the
Treatment of Intrinsic Circadian Rhythm Sleep-Wake
they may have had increased exposure to morning
Disorders: Advanced Sleep-Wake Phase Disorder
light, which may have affected phase advance. It is (ASWPD), Delayed Sleep-Wake Phase Disorder (DSWPD),
difficult to discriminate between the effect of the Non-24-Hour Sleep-Wake Rhythm Disorder (N24SWD),
glasses and that of the morning light. In either and Irregular Sleep-Wake Rhythm Disorder (ISWRD). An
case, we considered that this was the direct or Update for 2015: An American Academy of Sleep Medicine
indirect effect of wearing glasses. Clinical Practice Guideline. J Clin Sleep Med. 11:1199–236.
Brainard GC, Hanifin JP, Greeson JM, Byrne B, Glickman G,
In conclusion, the use of amber lenses to block blue
Gerner E, Rollag MD. (2001). Action spectrum for mela-
light was an effective treatment for the patients with tonin regulation in humans: Evidence for a novel circadian
DSPD. No adverse effect of amber lenses were noted photoreceptor. J Neurosci. 21:6405–12.
during the 2 weeks of the treatment. The amber-lens Burgess HJ, Molina TA. (2014). Home lighting before
treatment significantly improved SOT compared with usual bedtime impacts circadian timing: A field study.
that before the treatment, but its effect on DLMO or J Photochem Photobiol. 90:723–6.
Burkhart K, Phelps JR. (2009). Amber lenses to block blue
WUT was not significant. Further studies adopting
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light and improve sleep: A randomized trial. Chronobiol


controlled observations will be required to determine Int. 26:1602–12.
the intrinsic mechanisms involved in the chronobio- Buscemi N, Vandermeer B, Hooton N, Pandya R, Tjosvold L,
logical effects of amber lenses in DSPD. Scales of Hartling L, Baker G, Klassen TP, Vohra S. (2005). The
Morningness–Eveningness preference and insomnia efficacy and safety of exogenous melatonin for primary
will be useful in such studies to help understand the sleep disorders. A meta-analysis. J Gen Intern Med.
20:1151–8.
mechanisms and/or predictive factors of treatment
Cajochen C, Frey S, Anders D, Spati J, Bues M, Pross A,
efficacy. The factors, such as lens-wearing time, con- Mager R, Wirz-Justice A, Stefani O. (2011). Evening expo-
sequences of long-term use, and the possibility of sure to a light-emitting diodes (LED)-backlit computer
relapse after discontinuation of amber-lens treatment, screen affects circadian physiology and cognitive perfor-
remain to be explored. mance. J Appl Physiol. 110:1432–8.
Chang AM, Aeschbach D, Duffy JF, Czeisler CA. (2015).
Evening use of light-emitting eReaders negatively affects
Acknowledgments sleep, circadian timing, and next-morning alertness. PNAS
USA. 112:1232–7.
The authors are grateful to the patients who participated in this Cole RJ, Kripke DF, Gruen W, Mullaney DJ, Gillin JC.
study and thank MARUZEN Editing Light service (http://kw. (1992). Automatic sleep/wake identification from wrist
maruzen.co.jp/kousei-honyaku/) for English language review. activity. Sleep. 15:461–9.
Duffy SW, Nagtegaal ID, Wallis M, Cafferty FH, Houssami
N, Warwick J, Allgood PC, Kearins O, Tappenden N,
Declaration of interest statement O’Sullivan E, Lawrence G. (2008). Correcting for lead
The authors report no conflicts of interest in this research. Dr time and length bias in estimating the effect of screen
Kitajima has received speaker’s honoraria from Eizai, detection on cancer survival. Am J Epidemiol. 168:98–104.
Mitsubishi Tanabe, Otsuka, Takeda, Eli Lilly, MSD, Fargason RE, Preston T, Hammond E, May R, Gamble KL.
Yoshitomi, Fukuda, Dainippon Sumitomo, and Shionogi (2013). Treatment of attention deficit hyperactivity disor-
and has received research grant from Eizai, MSD and der insomnia with blue wavelength light-blocking glasses.
Takeda. Dr. Iwata has received speaker’s honoraria from Chronophysiol Ther. 1–8.
Astellas, Dainippon Sumitomo, Eli Lilly, GlaxoSmithKline, Gooley JJ, Rajaratnam SM, Brainard GC, Kronauer RE,
Janssen, Yoshitomi, Otsuka, Meiji, Shionogi, Novartis, and Czeisler CA, Lockley SW. (2010). Spectral responses of
Pfizer and has research grants from Dainippon Sumitomo, the human circadian system depend on the irradiance
GlaxoSmithKline, Tanabe-Mitsubishi and Otsuka. and duration of exposure to light. Sci Transl Med.
2:31ra33.
Hattar S, Liao HW, Takao M, Berson DM, Yau KW. (2002).
Melanopsin-containing retinal ganglion cells: Architecture,
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