TRUEBLUE PROTECTION
THE TRUEBLUE® SOLUTION
Scientists have developed patented technological methodology to synthesize and chemically adapt Melanin and Ocular Lens Pigment (MOLP, OLP®) so that they can be incorporated for photoprotection (protection from the damaging effects of sunlight and artificial light sources) using naturally occurring polymers as paradigms.
TrueBlue Lens Solutions – Tailored To Solving Specific Needs
Designed for blue light protection, this is a lens and not a coating.
Based on two of the human bodies own defense mechanisms, the lens incorporates synthetic “Melanin” and “Ocular Lens Pigment” sourced from the patented processes. Combined together and isolated in polycarbonate, the lenses are second to none in the vision industry.
Since both Melanin and OLP® selectively limit the amount of blue light that reaches the retina, they are a defense mechanism that aids in protecting the retina from degeneration.
Exclusive to TrueBlue, this technology in plano lenses offer indoor solutions for artificial blue light and outdoor solutions for natural blue light with the following benefits:
- Superior Protection
- Improves Contrast
- Maintains Color Balance
- Reduces Both Glare and Veiled Glare
- Improves Visual Acuity
Patents Based On Nature
The combination of Melanin and OLP® (MOLP) advance the light filtration properties of melanin alone and broaden protection beyond just blue light to address the range of High Energy Visible (HEV) light.
A unique feature of this technology is the selective filtration of HEV light, instead of being blocked. The significance of filtering means that colors are viewed in balance.
While the melanin technology has been used by the world’s best optical and sunglass lens manufacturers, only TrueBlue lenses features the combined Melanin and Ocular Lens Pigment technology for plano and plus powered “reader” vision lenses.
Why melanin is infused into the lens?
Melanin is the nature’s primary pigment for photo-protection from sunlight damage. Produced by our bodies and deposited in our skin and eyes, melanin acts as a natural defense against the negative impact of sunlight, particularly dangerous blue light.
Until recently, this higher energy visible light has been overlooked by science and industry for its damaging effects to both skin and to the eyes. Melanin is the natural filter to aid in protecting humans from sunlight damage.
Blue light that passes through the lens of the eye is scattered within the eye cavity resulting in the phenomenon of “Veiled Glare” which is a contributor to vision fatigue. Blue light in the eye is naturally absorbed by the melanin that resides in the retina pigment epithelium (RPE) and the outer choroid layer, both located behind the retina to protect the macula. While melanin is concentrated at the back of the eye to protect the retina and choroid, it diminishes as we age.
Why is Ocular Lens Pigment infused into the lens?
OLP is the nature's defense to protect the lens of the eye from blue light. Unfortunately the eye only produces Ocular Lens Pigment (OLP) to protect the eye in the late teen-age years of life after considerable exposure to ultraviolet light; and it is during this time period (from birth to late teen-age) that most of the lifetime damage to the eye occurs.
An additional consequence of ultraviolet and blue light exposure is the discoloration and hardening of the lens of the eye as we age. Eventually this results in cataract formation that clouds the lens and impairs vision. The cataract lens can be surgically removed, but the protective OLP® is also removed. In people who have this removal, AMD onset often follows because lens replacement with an intraocular lens allows for an increase in ultraviolet and blue light reaching the retina.
Artificial Blue Light – Indoor Prevention
The MOLP lens helps in preventing eye damage, specifically to the front or lens of the eye, and the back or retina of the eye. The protective benefits are two-fold:
Photo-Stress Reduction
By reducing reflected light or glare, there is less stress as light passes through the lens of the eye. This reduces Computer Vision Syndrome and Digital Eye Strain associated with artificial blue light produced from a computer screen, tablet, smartphone, TV, and high energy efficient indoor lighting.
Retinal Protection
The second, yet as important protective benefit of the MOLP lens, is effective filtration of blue light damage on the retina. The use of eyewear with Melanin and Ocular Lens Pigment (OLP®) aids in preventing retinal tissue damage by filtering out the harmful portion of the blue light spectrum.
Artificial Blue Light – Sleep Protection
One solution to the problem of HEV light-based suppression of melatonin during extensive exposure to artificial blue light e.g. computer monitors, is the use of filters that block all of the HEV light. However, this solution is undesirable because it will result in a loss of color perception and temporary color blindness – thus introducing an additional loss of performance.
The TrueBlue lens has a patented filtration of artificial blue light so that it will not suppress melatonin production and allow for the circadian rhythm and sleep/wake cycle to be more balanced than would be the case if the lenses were not worn.
Protection and Performance Enhancement
Sunlight is the natural source of blue light. When the sun is high in the sky, the shorter wavelengths, primarily blue, strike air molecules in the upper atmosphere and scatter around, explaining why the sky looks blue. However this blue light causes vision fatigue, affects performance and ultimately damages vision.
TrueBlue outdoor sun lenses offer the highest quality polarized filter with Melanin and Ocular Lens Pigment injected into the polycarbonate lens material. Polycarbonate blocks ultraviolet light and is shatterproof. All our outdoor lenses adhere to all international standards for outdoor light filtration and physical protection including ANSI, EN/CE, AS-NZS.
In addition to superior filtration, the lenses are scratch resistance and coated with premium reflection and interference coatings as well as hydro/oleophobic and coatings to repel water, oil and dust.
This unique filtration of the light spectrum, reduces vision stress and human performance is improved, because how you see determines how you perform.