Re-Timer Light Therapy “Sunglasses” May Help Regulate Circadian Rhythms

Worn like a pair of sunglasses, Re-Timer emits a soft, UV-free green light onto the eyes to stimulate the part of the brain responsible for regulating the 24-hour body clock, making it easier to fall asleep at night and wake in the morning, the company says.

“The human body clock likes to delay if given the chance, which means we have a natural tendency to stay up a bit later at night and get up later in the morning,” says Re-Timer inventor, sleep psychologist, and professor Leon Lack. “In summer, getting exposure to morning sunlight stops that natural late drift but in winter it’s harder to keep the late drift in check so people struggle to get out of bed in the morning. This disrupts their body clock and can cause bouts of depression, particularly in the morning. But the Re-Timer mimics outdoor light, thereby regulating the body clock, which in turn has a positive effect on brain chemicals linked to mood.”

Launched in 2012 following 25 years of sleep research at Flinders University, Australia, the portable device can also counter jet lag, keep shift workers more alert, and get teenagers out of bed by advancing or delaying the sleep-wake cycle, according to the company.

Re-Timer CEO Ben Olsen says about 30% of all Re-Timer sales are used to treat the winter blues.

He says the device is more effective and convenient than any other light therapy unit on the market because it emits a soft, UV-free light and, unlike conventional systems, it does not require the user to sit close to the unit for lengthy periods of time.

“Most light boxes and lamps emit a very bright light of up to 10,000 lux, which is the amount of brightness required for the light to reach the user’s eyes from where they are sitting,” Olsen says.

“But the Re-Timer emits just 506 lux on the highest setting, which is all that’s needed because the light is closer to the user’s eyes, and you only have to wear the glasses for 30 minutes as opposed to the required 60 minutes you have to sit in front of a traditional light device,” he says. “It’s also a lot more convenient because being portable, you can wear it while making a coffee and getting ready for work–and at the same time treating the winter blues.”

Olsen recommends wearing the glasses for 30 minutes per day immediately after waking in the morning to advance the body clock.

Nature Bright Company Sponsors Annual Meeting of the Society for Light Treatment & Biological Rhythms

Nature Bright Company announced today their title sponsorship of the 27th annual meeting of the Society for Light Treatment & Biological Rhythms (SLTBR), to be held in San Diego, California on June 27th & 28th. The annual meeting will cover important light treatment topics, including wake therapy, sleep and circadian health, and chronobiology.

As the leading sponsor, Nature Bright Company has assisted with the planning of this year’s meeting, playing a key role in the planning of the Congress Dinner. Joshua Chen, Cofounder & CEO of Nature Bright Company, will deliver the banquet’s guest speech highlighting the importance of embracing the ‘light renaissance’.

“Human beings have worshipped sunlight for millennia. Since the opening of the first commercial power station in Manhattan in 1882, our nights have become brighter and sleeping hours have become shorter. With the advance in light therapy technologies, we can help our bodies return to the natural circadian rhythms and improve society’s health,” explained Chen.

Nature Bright Company is a corporate partner of SLTBR, an international scientific non-profit organization that promotes research and knowledge of the effects of light on various organisms, including human mental health. SLTBR members and partners have been responsible for many of the advancements in light therapy and chronobiology as well as pioneering their application in practical medicine.

“We are proud to serve as the title sponsor for this year’s SLTBR meeting, which welcomes over 80 clinicians, researchers, and students from 10 different nations. Nature Bright Company is thrilled to be a part of the advancement of the light therapy industry and our knowledge of biological rhythms,” said Ann Huang, Cofounder & Vice President of Marketing at Nature Bright Company.