In the vast darkness of the universe, light has always been a beacon of hope, guidance, and transformation.

From the ancient civilizations that worshipped the sun to the modern-day biohackers harnessing the power of light for optimal health, our relationship with light has been profound and ever-evolving.

At Ra Optics, our mission has always been clear: to illuminate your unlimited potential by optimizing the light in your life.

And in a recent study (the largest ever) on the impact of artificial light exposure on mental health, scientists found the most comprehensive evidence to date on the damaging effects of artificial (especially blue) at various times of the day.

Clearly…Ra Optics’ mission has never been more relevant.

So, here is what you need to know about the latest light science: 

Credit: CC0 Public Domain

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The Science of Light and Mental Health

Led by Associate Professor Sean Cain from the Monash School of Psychological Sciences and the Turner Institute for Brain and Mental Health in Melbourne, Australia, this recent study involved a staggering 86,772 participants.

The big takeaways?

Scientists found that greater night-time light exposure was associated with increased risk for major depressive disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, PTSD, psychosis, bipolar disorder, and self-harm behavior.

So, how exactly does artificial light negatively affect human life like that?

According to Associate Professor Cain, our biology functions most optimally with bright natural light during the day (sunlight, not bright artificial light) and with little to no light at night (which is why we block it). 

Just imagine the rhythm and cycle of our ancestors: healthy exposure to substantial natural sunlight during the day and little to no light after sunset, with the exception of a fire or the light from a full moon.

But today, our man-made lighting and indoor lifestyles have severely disrupted our natural rhythms. And there is a major cost to our health.

"Humans today challenge this biology,” says Cain, “spending around 90% of the day indoors under electric lighting, which is too dim during the day and too bright at night, compared to natural light and dark cycles. It is confusing our bodies and making us unwell.”

Clearly, the design of our modern world conflicts with the design of our cellular function.

It’s nearly impossible to escape the rampant blue light in our environment: the lightbulbs in our homes, at our favorite cafes, on our mobile devices and computers, in the oncoming headlights in traffic at night, and just about every place we go.

As we can see, we have gotten into a dangerous habit of challenging our biology and the evolutionary wisdom in our cells.

And that is most often a losing battle.

“Therefore,” as scientists noted, “habitual light exposure may represent an environmental risk factor for susceptibility to psychiatric disorders.”

Much to our delight, however, scientists also discovered that those who were exposed to high amounts of light during the day reduced their risk of depression by 20%.

As Ra Optics says to all of our 50,000+ customers worldwide, we recommend getting adequate amount of direct sunlight exposure during the day to restore your natural rhythms, especially in the morning hours.

And when combined with wearing our frames when exposed to damaging artificial light, this is the holistic solution to optimizing your biology and health in our modern world.

This is precisely what scientists found in their study, “…the simple practice of avoiding light at night and seeking brighter light during the day could be an effective, non-pharmacological means of reducing serious mental health issues.”

That’s why Associate Professor Cain stated, “Our findings will have a potentially huge societal impact. Once people understand that their light exposure patterns have a powerful influence on their mental health, they can take some simple steps to optimize their well-being. It's about getting bright light in the day and darkness at night."

So, what is one of those simple steps that you can take?

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Ra Optics: Pioneering the Light Revolution

While the findings of the study may be alarming to the general public, we’d humbly think we’ve been ahead of the curve at Ra Optics.

Our first-hand experiences and studies of the profound effects of light on health have driven us to create products that both protect and enhance our well-being.

That’s why we have 8 different blue light blocking frames for you to choose from, in both Daylight or Sunset Frames.

Here are just a few reasons why Ra Optics stands out:

• Designed By The World’s Best: Ra Optics lenses were designed by the world’s leading photobiologists and scientists.
• Scientifically Proven to Work: Unlike the generic blue light glasses that flood the market, our lenses don't just block a fraction of harmful blue light. Ra Optics shields against the entire spectrum that damages our circadian rhythm and mental health.
• Superior Lens Technology: Our lenses are made of optically superior CR-39 polymer—the gold standard for optical lenses.
• Proprietary Pigment Technology: Every lens is infused with a proprietary blend of pigments based on the natural pigment melanin, which the body uses to protect itself from light.
• Optimal Color Perception: In addition to maximum color protection, our lenses allow for maximal color perception. That means you can still drive a vehicle, watch a show, and handle your daily responsibilities with the vividness of life in sight.
• Built to Last a Lifetime: Our frames are extremely durable, made of the finest Italian Mazzuchelli acetate and German-engineered steel. Ra Optics has your back for the long run.
• Premium Quality, Style, and Vibe: We believe that wellness and style should go hand in hand. That’s why we have 8 designs to comfortably fit every face, and to create every positive vibe.

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How to Use Ra Optics

Integrating Ra Optics into your health routine is pretty simple. Here’s how:

• Wear Daylight Lenses any time you are exposed primarily to artificial light sources, such as at home, at the office, at school, on screens, and so on. Feel your eyes and mind relax, your mood rise, and your focus and productivity skyrocket!
• Wear Sunset Lenses from sunset to sleep, whenever you were exposed to artificial light. Feel your body and mind relax (without any external substances), fall asleep more easily, sleep more deeply, and wake up with the energy you need to succeed in your life!

So, are you ready to take the simple step to optimize your well-being?

The science is undeniable. The solution is clear. Embrace the power of light and transform your health with Ra Optics.

Shop Ra Optics Glasses

What the Experts Are Saying:

“Ra Optics glasses are the most effective blue light blockers I have found. After only two weeks of using these glasses, I have regained my childhood deep restful sleep. By protecting my eyes from the disruptive blue light emitted from screens and artificial lighting, Ra Optics glasses support my body's natural circadian rhythms, and help me stay energized and focused throughout the day.” -- Bastien Intartaglia, Ph.D. (neuroscientist)

“loving the lenses so far. Overall eye fatigue and strain way down with the days. Sleep was already dialed but very interesting how much more calm I feel around light in the evenings. Thank you.” -- Dr. Tom McCoy (Medical Director and Performance Specialist)

“Blue light exposure can negatively impact your health. When you’re staring at a screen all day long (which is fake blue light) and especially at night, it will mess with your body’s circadian rhythm. Your body won’t be able to understand if it’s ready for bed at night. This is why it’s so important to use blue light blocking glasses at least 2-3 hours before bedtime so your body can produce melatonin and decrease cortisol production. Blue light not only impacts your sleep, but can lead to depression and memory impairment. We need quality AND quantity sleep. Sleep is crucial for optimal health because it’s where our bodies can heal and reset. Studies have shown that there is also a connection between chronic blue light exposure at night and cancer. It is crucial we try to limit artificial blue light as much as we can, especially right before bed. To help my sleep, I always wear my Ra Optics blue blockers when the sun goes down. I put them on and immediately get tired because my body knows it's time to lower cortisol and start producing melatonin. I have noticed huge improvements in Ra Optics compared to other brands and always suggest them for my clients!” -- Dr. Kristina Telhami (Doctor of Pharmacy and Functional Medicine Specialist)