Become part of our PRiSMA family and receive interesting news about light & color, new products, webinars and much more in our free PRiSMA newsletter!
[prisna-google-website-translator]
Summer is here – and with it the first heatwaves. While it has become unbearably hot in many old apartments (and old classrooms), it has often been surprisingly cool in modern offices and newer buildings. The difference is not only due to the insulation or a fan, but is often due to the window. This is because modern glazing keeps out more than you might think – and sometimes more than is good for us.
Modern thermal insulation windows typically consist of two or three panes of glass, separated by an inert gas, such as argon. There is also a wafer-thin layer of metal on the inside of at least one pane. It is almost invisible, but it reflects certain wavelengths that are responsible for heat transfer, including those in the near-infrared range.
This means that less heat enters the building, which protects against overheating in summer and keeps the warmth in the room in winter. That is a great advantage for the indoor climate – but for our health, it also means that part of the natural light spectrum remains outside. Near-infrared light is particularly relevant here, as although it lies outside the visible spectrum, it has been proven to play an important role in our health.
Infrared light is part of the natural light spectrum – more precisely: the range directly beyond visible red light. Our eyes cannot see it, but we can feel it as heat. The sun emits large amounts of infrared radiation; it accounts for over half of the sun’s natural energy.
In the world of physics, the infrared spectrum starts at wavelengths of around 780 nanometers and extends up to 1 mm. For the human body – especially for the eyes – the so-called near-infrared (NIR) up to approx. 1400 nm is of particular importance.
Due to the comparable biological effect, a red component in the visible range is often also included in the definition, especially in medical considerations. In research, near-infrared light therefore often refers to the range between 670 nm and 1400 nm. This radiation can penetrate into deeper tissue layers and influence biological processes, such as energy metabolism in cells.
Longer wavelength of infrared, the so-called mid and far infrared, are largely absorbed at the surface of the eye, especially in the cornea. They generate heat there, but do not reach the retina. It is mainly the near infrared that plays a role in the function and health of the eye.
The cells in our retina are among the most metabolically active in the entire body. They are constantly exposed to light stimuli and need a lot of energy to maintain their function. Research suggests that near-infrared light can help these cells to work more efficiently – by supporting energy metabolism in the mitochondria. Especially in old age, when energy production in the eyes decreases, NIR could have a positive effect. Initial studies on age-related macular degeneration also provide evidence that regular exposure to gentle near-infrared light can promote regenerative processes. Although the research is still young, it is clear that the right light environment plays a greater role in eye health than has long been assumed.
Evidence has suggested that NIR light may restore biological function of damaged mitochondria, upregulate cytoprotective factors and inhibit apoptosis.
This review summarizes studies in which near-infrared light (NIR) was used in patients with various eye diseases. It shows that NIR protects retinal cells and can slow down degenerative processes. The authors therefore see NIR as a promising option for ( complementary) therapies.
An in vitro study (laboratory study on cell cultures) on retinal pigment epithelial cells (RPE) showed that after 30 minutes of irradiation with near-infrared, the mitochondrial membrane potential increases significantly – a clear sign that the cell power plants become more active and more efficient. The cells were also better able to withstand damaging, short-wave laser pulses.
In this study, healthy adults were exposed to near-infrared light (850 nm). Visual acuity improved measurably in all groups, even when the eyes were not directly irradiated. The authors attribute this to systemic effects triggered by the deep penetration of NIR into the tissue.
We spend most of the day in rooms with artificial lighting – in offices, schools, or in front of a computer screen. Although it is bright enough to work there, the light has a completely different composition from natural sunlight. In particular, the range of long-wave, deep red light and near-infrared light is almost completely absent.
Energy-saving light bulbs and LEDs generate light mainly in the short-wave range – they save electricity but exclude the health-promoting part of the spectrum. Modern windows with thermal insulation glazing also block virtually all infrared light.
This creates a lack of light that you can’t see – but which can throw cells, eyes and internal rhythms out of balance.
How to bring more healthy light into your everyday life:
Use daylight:
Head outside for at least 30 minutes a day – ideally in the morning or late afternoon.
Open your windows:
Modern thermal insulation glazing blocks infrared – an open window lets more natural light through.
Create pools of light:
Use a small light bulb or halogen lamp in the evening – they provide long-wave, relaxing light.
Take breaks outside:
Lunch breaks in the fresh air are doubly valuable – for exercise and for healthy light.
Select light for more than just brightness:
Pay attention to the quality of light – In addition to being flicker-free, all light sources should also offer as balanced a spectrum as possible. As very few suppliers share spectral curves, the highest possible CRI (color rendering index) and a high R9 value (red rendering index) is a good marker for healthy light for the eyes. We recommend this LED.
Choose your glasses wisely:
Use lenses that filter harmful components but allow the natural light spectrum to pass through as completely as possible – including near infrared! Naturally, this quality standard applies to all PRiSMA glasses.
Raise your eyes more often:
If you sit in front of a screen for a long time, you should regularly look into the distance – preferably into natural light.
At Innovative Eyewear, we develop functional eyewear that is precisely tailored to modern requirements. When working at a computer screen, the focus is on protection against harmful blue light, and in color light therapy we strive for the highest possible color saturation.
We are guided by a fundamental understanding of the interplay between light and health. That is why we not only pay attention to what is filtered – but also to what should be allowed through.
All our PRiSMA glasses are designed in such a way that they allow health-relevant near-infrared light to pass through almost unhindered. For us, this is a matter of course: Anyone who works with light bears responsibility – for providing clarity, protection and education.
A new day begins. The screen lights up, the calendar is full, the to-do list awaits. Everything seems ready for concentration, focus, performance. And yet
The long summer evenings are gone, and with fall comes the dark time of the year: by the end of the workday, there is no
When it comes to protecting our eyes, scientific insight makes all the difference. That’s why we asked Dipl.-Ing. Dr. Helmut Walter for his expert assessment.
You are currently viewing a placeholder content from Vimeo. To access the actual content, click the button below. Please note that doing so will share data with third-party providers.
More InformationYou are currently viewing a placeholder content from YouTube. To access the actual content, click the button below. Please note that doing so will share data with third-party providers.
More InformationYou need to load content from reCAPTCHA to submit the form. Please note that doing so will share data with third-party providers.
More InformationYou are currently viewing a placeholder content from Facebook. To access the actual content, click the button below. Please note that doing so will share data with third-party providers.
More Information