Using special eyewear to help night-shift nurses maintain melatonin levels and visual performance
Official title: Filtered eyewear to prevent light-induced melatonin suppression while maintaining visual performance and alertness in night-shift working nurses
Funded at Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai · NIH-10913281 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how wearing special blue-blocking glasses can help night-shift nurses keep their melatonin levels balanced while still being alert and able to do their jobs well.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New York, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2023 |
| Project end | August 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $668,366 |
| NIH project number | 5R01OH012543-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10913281 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are night-shift working nurses and healthcare professionals who are exposed to artificial light during their shifts.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not work night shifts or are not exposed to artificial light during nighttime hours may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the effects of blue-blocking eyewear on melatonin production in night-shift nurses. By placing a blue-blocking filter over one eye, the study aims to reduce light-induced melatonin suppression while preserving visual performance and alertness. The research includes laboratory experiments and real-world testing in hospital environments to assess the effectiveness of this approach on melatonin levels and task performance. Participants will engage in simulated and actual healthcare tasks to evaluate the impact of the eyewear.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could help night-shift workers maintain healthier melatonin levels, potentially reducing health risks associated with shift work.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promise in using blue-blocking filters to mitigate melatonin suppression, suggesting that this approach may be effective.
Where this research is happening
-
Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai
New York, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Rea, Mark S — Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai
- Study coordinator: Rea, Mark S
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.