Methods and devices for improving sleep performance in subject exposed to light at night
A method and device for improving sleep performance of a subject exposed to an artificially lighted environment at night are provided, which involve selectively substantially blocking retinal exposure of the subject to light of specified wavelengths during the night.
1. A method for improving sleep performance in a subject, comprising:
a) exposing the subject to an artificially lighted environment at night, wherein said exposing step causes one or more of the following in the subject:
increased sleep onset latency;
decreasing in total sleep time;
increasing in wake after sleep onset; and
increasing time in slow wave (stage 3 and 4) sleep and
b) improving sleep performance after exposure to the artificially lighted environment by selectively substantially blocking retinal exposure of the subject to light of wavelengths less than 490 nm +/−5 nm during the night, wherein said improving of sleep performance comprises one or more of reducing sleep onset latency, increasing total sleep time, reducing wake after sleep onset, and increasing time in slow wave (stage 3 and 4) sleep.
2. The method of claim 1 wherein the method is practiced throughout the night.
3. The method of claim 1 wherein said substantial blocking of wavelengths of light is by means of an optical filter.
4. The method of claim 3 wherein the optical filter is incorporated into eyewear.
5. The method of claim 3 wherein the optical filter is incorporated into a light cover.
6. The method of claim 3 wherein the optical filter is incorporated into a coating for a light source.
7. The method of claim 3 wherein the optical filter is incorporated into a light source.
8. The method of claim 1 wherein the subject is exposed to a light source that excludes the blocked wavelengths of light.
9. The method of claim 8 wherein the light source is a display screen.
10. A method for improving sleep performance in a subject, comprising:
a) exposing the subject to an artificially lighted environment at night, wherein said exposing step causes one or more of the following in the subject:
increased sleep onset latency;
decreasing in total sleep time;
increasing in wake after sleep onset; and
increasing time in slow wave (stage 3 and 4) sleep and
b) improving sleep performance after exposure to the artificially lighted environment by selectively substantially blocking retinal exposure of the subject to light of wavelengths less than 480 nm +/−5 nm during the night, wherein said improving of sleep performance comprises one or more of reducing sleep onset latency, increasing total sleep time, reducing wake after sleep onset, and increasing time in slow wave (stage 3 and 4) sleep.
11. The method of claim 10 wherein the method is practiced throughout the night.
12. The method of claim 10 wherein the substantial blocking of wavelengths of light is by means of an optical filter.
13. The method of claim 12 wherein the optical filter is incorporated into eyewear.
14. The method of claim 12 wherein the optical filter is incorporated into a light cover.
15. The method of claim 12 wherein the optical filter is incorporated into a coating for a light source.
16. The method of claim 12 wherein the optical filter is incorporated into a light source.
17. The method of claim 10 wherein the subject is exposed to a light source that excludes the blocked wavelengths of light.
18. The method of claim 17 wherein the light source is a display screen.
19. A method for improving sleep performance in a subject, comprising:
a) exposing a the subject to an artificially lighted environment at night, wherein said exposing step causes one or more of the following in the subject:
increased sleep onset latency;
decreasing in total sleep time;
increasing in wake after sleep onset; and
increasing time in slow wave (stage 3 and 4) sleep and
b) improving sleep performance after exposure to the artificially lighted environment by selectively substantially blocking retinal exposure of the subject to light of wavelengths selected from the group consisting of between 410 nm +/−5 nm and 490 nm +/−5nm; between 415 nm +/−5 nm and 490 nm +/−5 nm; between 420 nm +/−5 nm and 490nm +/−5 nm; between 425 nm +/−5 nm and 490 nm +/−5 nm; between 410 nm +/−5 nm and 480 nm +/−5nm; between 415 nm +/−5 nm and 480 nm +/−5 nm; between 420 nm +/−5nm and 480nm +/−5 nm; and between 425 nm +/−5 nm and 480 nm +/−5 nm during the night, wherein said improving of sleep performance comprises one or more of reducing sleep onset latency, increasing total sleep time, reducing wake after sleep onset, and increasing time in slow wave (stage 3 and 4) sleep.
20. The method of claim 19 wherein substantial blocking of wavelengths of light is by means of an optical filter.
21. The method of claim 19 wherein the method is practiced throughout the night.
22. The method of claim 21 wherein the optical filter is incorporated into eyewear.
23. The method of claim 21 wherein the optical filter is incorporated into a light cover.
24. The method of claim 21 wherein the optical filter is incorporated into a coating for a light source.
25. The method of claim 21 wherein the optical filter is incorporated into a light source.
26. The method of claim 19 wherein the subject is exposed to a light source that excludes the blocked wavelengths of light.
27. The method of claim 26 wherein the light source is a display screen.