Hynek Medřický Red Glasses in a Hard Case

Product detailed description

If you can’t avoid exposure to such light, put on these red glasses from lighting expert Hynek Medřický. The glasses filter wavelengths of 460–580 nm, preventing disruptive light from reaching your eyes from the sides, top, bottom, or around the nose. Vertical slits in the wide temples also prevent fogging. Before bedtime, your eyes are exposed only to soft orange light that mimics fire. This principle brings us back to nature and harmony with natural cycles, while being grounded in the science of chronobiology and evolution.

Let’s Shine a Light

Besides vision, your eyes also contain an evolutionarily older, non-visual system. This system regulates circadian rhythm and internal timing — including the production of melatonin before and during sleep, and its suppression during the day.

This primarily involves intrinsically photosensitive retinal ganglion cells (ipRGCs), which contain the pigment melanopsin. Melanopsin is sensitive to short blue, cyan, and green wavelengths. When these light components hit the retina, they inhibit melatonin production — which helps you feel alert in the morning and throughout the day.

However, when such light reaches your retina before sleep or at night, it sends a false signal to your body that it’s not yet time to rest, further suppressing melatonin production. This can make it harder to fall asleep and reduce overall sleep quality. Over time, such disruption of the body’s natural rhythm may increase the risk of various lifestyle-related health issues.

Return to Nature

During the day, bright artificial light is needed to mimic a clear sky for focus and productivity. In the evening, you should switch to softer, warmer white light with less blue and green, positioned at eye level to simulate sunset. About ninety minutes before sleep (and if you wake up during the night), expose your eyes only to dim orange light free of blue, cyan, and green wavelengths, shining from below eye level to mimic firelight. This approach restores balance with natural cycles and aligns with findings from chronobiology and evolutionary science.

Hormone of the Night

Melatonin — often called the sleep hormone, night hormone, or photoperiodic hormone — is produced when the sun sets and light color shifts. At night, it plays a vital role in sleep quality. Melatonin levels in the body reach a healthy nighttime peak only when no blue light around 460 nm reaches the retina.

Material: Durable plastic. Includes a black hard plastic protective case.
Dimensions: Lens width 15 cm, height 5.5 cm.
Warning: Red glasses are not intended for long-term wear and do not replace sufficient sleep. Do not use while driving motorized or non-motorized vehicles.
Country of origin: Czech Republic