Abstract:
A device for the application of artificial light to a user&#39;s retina is disclosed. A light source leads to a light focusing member that generates a light stream at, at least one transmission angle, to the user&#39;s retina, preventing the light from coming in contact with the user&#39;s fovea. In one embodiment, the light focusing member is a light ring containing a plurality of apertures around an outer periphery with light exiting through the apertures in a plurality of streams at a transmission angle. A vision aperture within the light ring has a periphery less than the outer periphery and is on a direct axis with the user&#39;s fovea to enable the user to maintain vision during chronotherapy. The light source can be distanced from the light focusing member and connect by a light transfer member, such as a optic fiber. In another embodiment, the light focusing member can be the frame of a pair of eyeglasses having lenses to enable user vision. The light source can be either proximate the apertures around the frame or distanced from the glasses with the light being transmitted from the light source to the glasses by a transfer member.

Description:
This application claims benefit of provisional No. 60/072,022, filed, Jan. 21, 1998. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The invention discloses a safe, economical system for changing the body&#39;s circadian rhythm through the incorporation of fiber optics in combination with a light source. 
     2. Brief Description of the Prior 
     The internal systems of all animals follow a cycle regulated by hormones. These cycles are daily, monthly, and yearly and are controlled by changes in length of light vs. dark. This is commonly referred to as circadian rhythm and affects the body&#39;s rhythmic repetition of certain functions, including sleep. The internal biological Circadian clock cycles once in about 25 hours. In healthy people, the ordinary day/night visual exposure to sunlight is sufficient to reset the circadian dock each day. This mechanism is clever and simple, requiring only set point. Such a regulatory method is insufficient to make as simple a mechanical device as a house thermostat, which requires two set points, operate correctly. It is thus possible, in healthy individuals, to use strong broad band light to force melatonin suppression, thereby phase shifting their Circadian clock. Physical and emotional problems can occur in people who loose part or all of their circadian function or are unable to receive a dose of optical radiation sufficient to reset their clock. 
     Those who live in the Northern latitudes suffer more from clock regulation problems because the winter months the daily dose of sunshine is not sufficient for their body&#39;s internal clock to maintain synchronicity with day/night cycles. This lack of regulation can result in disruption of sleep, decreased attention span, gastrointestinal disturbances, irritability, headaches, reduced immunity, clinical depression, carbohydrate cravings, weight gains, reduced work productivity, social withdrawal, to name a few. Because many people have few or no problems during the summer, this condition is called “Seasonally Affected Disorder” (SAD). 
     Air travel poses increasingly common problems as the circadian cycle is upset if more than two times zones are crossed in one day. Commonly known as “jet-lag,” this problem is caused because the normal clock is only reset about one hour per day. It is well known in the field that one&#39;s circadian clock can be reset by administering carefully timed doses of bright light separated by careful avoidance of the same light at other specified times. 
     When light is administered to the eye at specific times relative to the circadian cycle, the therapy is often called chronotherapy. Chronotherapy has been developed to treat diseases or conditions through the use of light and, for these purposes, includes controlling the Circadian Rhythm, by advancement or retardation, as it relates to the internal circadian clock. The current conventional system is a light box with eyecups. The box is highly reflective, diffused white, like the inside of an integrating sphere and contains a source, or sources, which fill the box or cavity with light. The source is shielded to prevent a direct path from the source to the retina of the eye. Therefore, the eye sees a uniform illumination field, usually broad wavelength band white, rather than a specific narrow wavelength bank or line of light. It is possible to spectrally filter a portion of the source, but the sources are generally weak and too little of the filtered light reaches the retina for a chronotherapeutic effect. With very bright sources, a light box would be versatile. light boxes are currently used for treating Seasonally Affected Disorder (SAD) and it is likely that they can be used for shifting the phase of the Circadian Rhythm. Light boxes are little used except by those who are desperate. The general population is unwilling to use a light box for the required 100 to 200 minutes per day and, especially since no other use of the eyes is possible during light box chronotherapy. 
     The search for a method of passive ocular chronotherapy was motivated by a desire to enable a user to undergo chronotherapy while not otherwise limit eye function. This type of chronotheral)y is dubbed “passive” because the eyes may be used for other activities, such as watching television, reading a book, performing various sight guided tasks, or driving while receiving photonic medication. One form of passive chronotherapy is to place a chronotherapeutic subject into a specifically built, light filled room, in which the subjects are exposed to carefully filtered light. These rooms are very expensive and one or more are being built at Harvard with their primary goal being to test spectral response intensity and exposure (time) effects on chronotherapy. 
     The disclosed device overcomes the problems associated with passive chronotherapy but providing an inexpensive, portable device that overcomes the above disadvantages. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     A device for the application of artificial light to a user&#39;s retina is disclosed. The device has a light source leading to a light directing member that generates a light stream at, at least one transmission solid angle, to the user&#39;s retina. The transmission angles prevent the light from coming in contact with the user&#39;s fovea. In one embodiment, the light directing member is a light ring containing a plurality of apertures around an outer periphery. Light from the light source exits through the apertures in a plurality of streams, with each of the streams exiting at a transmission angle formed by the center line of the light stream and the surface of the directing member. The transmission angle can also be created by a lens positioned at the aperture. A vision aperture within the light ring has a periphery less than the outer periphery and is on a direct axis with the user&#39;s fovea. This enables the user to maintain vision during chronotherapy. The light source can be distanced from the light-directing member, being transmitted from the light source to the focusing member through at least one light transfer member. The first end of the light transfer member is placed proximate the light directing member and a second end of the transfer member is placed proximate the light source. 
     Preferably, the light transfer member is an optic fiber having a core and cladding. The device can have one optic fiber tips for each aperture or the optic fibers can be split to enable one fiber to transmit light to multiple apertures. Alternatively a single clad fiber can be positioned adjacent the apertures and the cladding being removed from the fiber proximate the apertures. Removal of the cladding enables the light to transmit through the aperture. 
     One method of determining the solid angle of the light stream angle is through the following formula: 
     
       
         
           n.a.=n 
           2 
           cl 
           −n 
           2 
           co  
         
       
     
     where n.a. equals sin θ, θ is half the angle projected by said stream of light, n cl  is the refractive index of said fiber cladding, and n co  is the refractive index of said fiber core of said fiber. Thus, when n.a.≈0 the light stream is collimated and when n.a ≈ 1 the light stream exits at an angle of about 90 degrees. 
     The light source can be moveably affixed to a first end of a rail and with the second end of the light transfer member affixed to a second end of the rail. Preferably, the light source can move along the rail in relation to the light transfer member. Filters are preferably placed on the rail between the light source and the light transfer member in a manner that enables the filters to be changed. 
     In another embodiment, the light directing member can be the frame of a pair of eyeglasses having lenses to enable user vision. The light source can be either proximate the apertures around the frame or distanced from the glasses with the light being transmitted from the light source to the glasses by a transfer member. 
     The disclosed device can be used alone or in combination with filter glasses to phase shift a user&#39;s circadian clock. The light application device is used for a predetermined period based on known chronotherapy procedures. The filter device used, based on predetermined periods of time to known in chronotherapy, to the inhibit production of melatonin. Alternating the application of light and a wavelength blocking filter causes the user&#39;s circadian clock to phase shift, thereby relieving problems associated with a lack of synchronicity between said user&#39;s circadian clock and natural day/night cycles. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The advantages of the instant disclosure will become more apparent when read with the specification and the drawings, wherein: 
     FIG. 1 is a side view of light entering the eye on a direct axis, thereby contacting the fovea; 
     FIG. 2 is a side view of light entering the eye on an indirect axis, thereby contacting the retina; 
     FIG. 3 is a front view of the circle of light surrounding the fovea; 
     FIG. 4 is a top view of one embodiment of a light ring; 
     FIG. 5 is a side view of one embodiment of the light and filter base unit; 
     FIG. 6 is a top, cutaway view of one construction of one embodiment of the light ring; 
     FIG. 7 is a cutaway side view of the light ring that shows the resulting light dispersion; 
     FIG. 8 is a side view of the dispersal angle of one embodiment of the invention; 
     FIG. 9 is a cutaway side view of an encased fiber for use with the instant invention; 
     FIG. 10 illustrates the cone of illumination angle with a 90-degree exit angle; 
     FIG. 11 illustrates the cone of illumination angle with a 105-degree exit angle; 
     FIG. 12 illustrates the cone of illumination angle with a lens to aid in beam cone formation; 
     FIG. 13 is a top view of an alternate placement of light apertures; 
     FIG. 14 is a cutaway side view of a light ring using a single fiber; 
     FIG. 15 is a cutaway view of the fibers and tube of an alternate embodiment of the invention; 
     FIG. 16 is a perspective of an additional embodiment of the disclosed light directing method incorporated into a pair of glasses. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     There are many benefits that can be achieved from controlling the internal circadian clock, including relief from sleep disorders and seasonal depression. The performance of people working or living long hours in artificial environments, such as nuclear power control rooms and submarine crews, can be greatly improved by providing controlled day/night cycles. The artificial administration of full spectrum, high intensity light will also alleviate the effects of jet lag by purposefully losing synchronicity by an amount equal to the times zones being crossed. The suppression of melatonin will also reduce the tiredness encountered in long distance car and truck drivers, pilots, and military personnel. 
     In a world becoming increasingly accessible, inter global business communication is increasing, not only through travel but real time communication with computers and faxes. When travel is required, many corporations will allot an additional two days adjustment time in for overseas travel, costing the corporation additional funds per executive trip. Even real time communication with overseas markets causes substantial employee down time. 
     Currently sleep disorders are treated with hypnotic drugs, such as sleeping tablets, alternative herbal remedies, special pillows, and beds. These, however, only force or encourage the user to sleep at a certain time, and do not address either the Circadian Clock or the need for sunlight associated with SAD. 
     In otherwise healthy people, a bright, broadband light is sufficient for both the treatment of SAD and the programmed phase shifting of the body&#39;s internal clock. The disclosed invention uses the fact that an narrow bank source of light is sufficient to suppress melatonin, thereby synchronizing, or phase shift, the circadian clock. Further, the disclosed system also uses the fact that narrow band optical notch filters are known to be sufficient to quench the important wavelength even in bright sunlight. The eye is photochemical system where different receptors have different sensitivities to different colors of light. The most sensitive region of the spectrum is in the green near 555 nm. It is known that the Circadian response does not occur in the rods or cones of the retina, but rather in the ganglia. From the standpoint of design it makes sense that the most intense color of sunlight, green, would be sufficient to set the Circadian dock The eye is then a simple system which, besides being used for normal vision, is also used for resetting the Circadian clock by the only natural source of periodic light, the sun. The photochemical reaction, which takes place in the ganglia, has a wavelength of about 435 nm. 
     The realignment of the internal body clock is well known treatment for the above problems, as well as conditions not listed herein. The use of phase shifting, using ocular exposure to environmental light is set forth below and is found at http:/www.uwrf.edu/˜cg04/physiology/CR-7/html. 
     
       
         
               
               
               
               
             
               
             
               
               
               
               
             
               
             
               
               
               
               
             
           
               
                   
               
               
                 # time 
                 Days after 
                   
                   
               
               
                 zones crossed 
                 transport 
                 Get bright light 
                 Avoid bright light 
               
               
                   
               
             
             
               
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                 Travel Westward 
               
             
          
           
               
                 3-6 
                 1-3 
                 Late evening 
                 Early morning 
               
               
                 7-9 
                 1 
                 Late evening/ 
                 Late evening 
               
               
                   
                   
                 early afternoon 
               
               
                   
                 2-4 
                 Late evening 
                 Early morning 
               
               
                   
                 1-2 
                 Afternoon 
                 Late 
               
               
                 10-11 
                 3-5 
                 Evening 
                 afternoon/evening 
               
               
                 12 
                 1 
                 Early afternoon 
                 Early morning 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                 Late afternoon and 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                 evening 
               
               
                   
                 2 
                 Late afternoon 
                 Late evening 
               
               
                   
                   
                 and early evening 
               
               
                   
                 3-5 
                 Evening 
                 Early morning 
               
             
          
           
               
                 Travel Eastward 
               
             
          
           
               
                 3-5 
                 1-2 
                 Late morning 
                 Early morning 
               
               
                 6-8 
                 1 
                 Early afternoon 
                 Morning 
               
               
                   
                 2 
                 Midday 
                 Early morning and 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                 midmorning 
               
               
                   
                 3-4 
                 Midmorning 
                 Early morning 
               
               
                  9 
                 1 
                 Mid-to-late 
                 Morning and early 
               
               
                   
                   
                 afternoon 
                 afternoon 
               
               
                   
                 2 
                 Midday 
                 Early and 
               
               
                   
                 3-4 
                 Late morning 
                 midmorning 
               
               
                 10-12 
                 Same as 
                 time zones 
                 Early morning 
               
               
                   
                 listed for 12 
                 westward 
                 travel 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
     FIG. 1 illustrates how an object, in the direct line of sight, is viewed by the eye  10 . In this figure, the line of sight  20  is a straight line and the image of the object  18 , viewed on a direct axis, is reflected directly onto the fovea centralis retinae  14 . The fovea  14  is defined as a “tiny pit, about 1 degree wide, in the center of the macula lultea, which in turn presents an extremely small depression (foveola) containing rod like elongated cones; it is the area of dearest vision, because here the layers of the retina are spread aside, permitting light to fall directly on the cones.”  Dorlands Illustrated Medical Dictionary,  W. B. Saunders Company, Philadelphia Pa., 1988. Thus, an object viewed on a direct access provides the clearest view of that object by removing the shielding provided by the retina  12 . While providing viewing benefits under normal circumstances, the direct exposure of bright light to the cones at the fovea  14 , can cause damage to these unprotected cones, in extreme cases temporarily or permanently eliminating direct axis vision. 
     To safely apply the light required for effective chronotherapy, the light must not move along the direct axis but rather “off center” as illustrated in FIG. 2, avoiding direct contact with the sensitive cones of the fovea  14 . Avoidance of direct light exposure to the cones not only protects the user&#39;s fovea  14  from damage, but also enables the user to maintain normal vision during use of the device. This is due to the light being placed not along the direct axis, reflecting on the fovea  14 , but rather angled to terminate at the retina  12 . The angling of the light also enables the intensity of the source of light to be increased dramatically without damaging the user&#39;s eyes of affecting the direct line vision. This enables the user to read, watch TV or participate in other activities without being inconvenienced, or temporarily blinded. 
     The disclosed device is designed for minimum annoyance to the wearer. Photons of specific wavelength are delivered to the eye in flux densities near zero at the fovea and much higher at retinal regions away from the fovea. Not only is the convenience of the disclosed device increased dramatically over prior art devices, it reduces the negative physical reactions as well. Physical reactions range from inconvenience, it is impossible for someone to read while a light is shined directly into their eyes, to mild discomfort, the temporary, localized blindness caused by a flash photo. More severe physical reactions can be encountered, such as the extreme discomfort and disorientation and nausea encountered during interrogations where the interrogators surround the subject in darkness except for a blinding light flashed in the person&#39;s eyes. The equivalent adverse reactions were duplicated with the initial circadian light rings, which included light directed to the fovea. To resolve the problem of disorientation, further testing revealed that the elimination of light directed to the fovea not only eliminates the disorientation and nausea but enables the user to maintain vision along the direct axis. 
     The disclosed ring light device delivers the appropriate amount of light to the retina with little or no impairment to the user&#39;s direct line vision. The disclosed light ring approach provides the advantages of chronotherapy without using the traditional light box approach but incorporating light rings into glasses. The preferred pattern of light intensity is illustrated in FIG. 3 wherein light pattern surrounds, but does not contact the fovea  14 . The light pattern, shown in this figure as light circles  30 , are in contact with the retina  12  while not exposing the fovea  14  to light. 
     In one embodiment, the connection between the light ring and the light source was manufactured of bent, multi-strand, optical fiber. The fiber was polymethyl methocrylate, about 2 mm in diameter, with a very thin (approximately 50 μm) coating of a fluorinated polymer to serve as cladding. The fibers were configured by heating the fiber and then bending it to a specific predetermined angle. The fibers were then embedded into a clear, optical polymer block so that each end pointed out the same block face. A silicone rubber mold was constructed which both held the bent optical fiber in position and formed the block. Then the other free ends were then each pigtailed to an LED, with one power supply sourcing all the LEDs. This is illustrated in FIG. 16 wherein the tube  200 , leading to the light ring, comprises individual LEDs  202  pigtailed to the end of each individual fiber  204 . By affixing individual LEDs  202 , the color and intensity of each light stream, or cone, can be varied as required. The unit incorporating using this technology was constructed with each fiber at the bundle end coupled to a very bright red LED. The unit was held up to the eye so that the red light of the LEDs flooded most of the eye. As LEDs are not currently commercially available at the precise wavelength, about 530 to 540 mm, and do not have sufficient brightness over most of the visual spectrum, the LEDs require specific design and manufacturing. This requires establishing the exact LED wavelength required to produce the desired brightness and spectrum visibility. Additionally, the method used to pigtail the fibers into the LEDs must be precise as most current methods further reduce the available intensity. For this method to work effectively and provide a clear, distortion free central visual area, thereby avoiding the orientation problem mentioned heretofore, optimal conditions are required. Precise pig tailing, in combination with clear fibers and precise wavelength, enable maximum and effective use of this technology. LEDs are currently not available in all colors and the color is, in many cases, important as far as maximizing a chronotherapeutic effect which limits the “across the board” use of this embodiment. 
     With the ability to provide a unit that is readily commercially available in mind, a portable, simple, inexpensive, and effective method was sought to easily allow for adjustment to the user&#39;s circadian dock. The disclosed device, when placed near the eye delivers light to the retina while enabling an unobstructed direct axis viewing area. Light is delivered to the light ring by a light transfer member, such as a fiber optic bundle, or optical wave guide or guides, with the light being sourced by a variety of means such as light bulbs, light emitting diodes, arc lamps, and others. The disclosed ring light/arc lamp device is capable of delivering the precise wavelength for maximum clock phase advance or retardation. To accomplish the desired light pattern, a ring light  40 , illustrated in FIG. 4, was devised. The ring light  40  is provided with multiple light apertures  42  placed along its face  46 . The center  44  is left open and, when placed over the user&#39;s eye, is aligned with the axis of vision, directing the light emitting from the apertures  42  to the retina  12  rather than the fovea  14 . The illustrated ring light  40  or light directing member, is shown as an example of the aperture  42  placement and number and other ring light configurations will become apparent to those skilled in the art. 
     The embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6 has been proven effective in altering the circadian clock in humans. The specifically designed fiber bundle ring light assembly  50  uses small ring lights that are formed by bifurcating each fiber, thereby cutting in half the number of fibers required and reducing the diameter of the transfer cord  56 . The bifurcated and bundled fibers are covered with a transfer cord  56  to prevent breakage, kinking and generally maintain the fibers in a neat, easy to use package. The light receiving end  52  of the transfer cord  56  is flooded with light from a mini-metal arc halide lamp  60  affixed to an optical rail  54 . A reflector  62  behind the lamp  60  helps to increase light intensity to the bundle end  52 . The lamp  60  is very bright and has a relatively long focus so the optical filtering devices  66  and  68  can be placed in the sourcing path. The optical rail  54  aligns and maintains the lamp  60 , reflector  62 , filters  64 ,  66 , and  68 , and fiber bundle  52 , in the desire, preset position. Although any of the foregoing can move along the stage  54 , it is preferable, to maintain appropriate angling and reduce costs, that only the lamp  60 / reflector  62  combination move. Preferably filters include a heat mirror  64 , spectral filter  68 , and optional neutral density filter  66 . The heat mirror  64  filters out ultraviolet light to prevent its passage into the eye as well as minimizing the amount of heat passing on to the remaining filters  66  and  68 . The heat mirror  64  has a dicloride coating, or its equivalent, which absorbs the heat and protects the subsequent filters from heat damage. As the range of movement on the rail  54  is generally extremely narrow, the neutral density filter  66  is used for setting the gross intensity, enabling fine intensity adjustments to be obtained by moving the lamp  60  slight distances along the rail  54 . It is possible to eliminate the density filter  66 , in situations where the rail  54  has a length sufficient to enable the gross and fine intensities to be adjusted by moving the lamp  60  along the rail  54  length. The spectral filter  68  enables narrow band, broad band, cut-on, cut-off, polarization, line, or other final filtering in order to adjust the spectral content of light reaching the eye. It is preferable that all the forgoing filters be easily replaced to vary intensities, spectrums, etc. When the circadian treatments are being used on people who have lost their sight but not their circadian docks, both the density filter  66  and the spectral filter  68  can be eliminated as the photochemical properties lie in the ganglia and not the cone rods. The foregoing rail, lamp and filter design is for example only and any equivalent arrangement will be come obvious to those skilled in the art. 
     The ring  70  in FIG. 6 has optic fibers  48  connected to each of the apertures  42 . The fibers  48  are bundled and run down the coated transfer cord  56  to the bundle end  52 . A side view of the light ring  70 , as seen in FIG. 8, illustrates the fibers  48  leading to the apertures  42  thereby forming light illumination cones  72 . The illustrated illumination cones  72  show the divergence of the light, which can be varied through the attachment of lenses, in accordance with the formulas set forth hereinafter, or by other methods known to these skilled in the art. The fibers  48  are contained in the base  74  of the light ring  40  and can be prevented from movement within the base  74  through use of molded channels, or other securing means. Although the fibers  48  can optionally remain loose within the base  74 , the ends must be securely affixed to the apertures  42  to prevent the angle of the light cones  72  from shifting or the fiber  48  from dropping out of the aperture  42 . 
     One way the divergence can be controlled is by using the following the following equations. The numerical aperture is represented by n.a. where n.a. equal sin θ and θ is half the solid angle projected by the light stream, or cone, as illustrated in FIG.  9 . 
     
       
         
           n.a.=n 
           2 
           cl 
           −n 
           2 
           co  
         
       
     
     where n cl  is the refractive index of the cladding  90  and n co  is the refractive index of the core  92  of the fiber, as illustrated in FIG.  9 . By varying the n.a. between 0 and 1, the divergence of the resulting light ranges from collimated to maximum divergence. The formula: n.a.≈0 produces a collimated light stream; by changing 0 to {fraction (1/2, )}the light stream is broadened to a divergent stream having an exiting angle of about 45 degrees. Maximum divergence is reached by using the n.a.≈1, producing an exiting angle of about 90 degrees. 
     On low divergence fibers, the illumination axis can be angled with respect to the ring light housing axis. This is illustrated in FIGS. 10-12 wherein the angle of exit on the fiber has been changed, thereby producing solid angled illumination cones. In FIG. 10, the fiber  114  exits at approximately a 90-degree solid angle from the angle of entry into the ring light  110 , thereby producing a cone  112  at approximately 90 degrees from the ring light  110 . In FIG. 11, the angle of exit of the fiber  124  has been altered to about a 105 degrees from point of entry into the ring light  120 , thereby angling the light stream  122 . In FIG. 12, a lens  136  is affixed to the fiber  134  to modify the transmission angle of the light stream  132 . Therefore, although the fiber  134  is placed at a 90-degree angle from the point of entry, the lens  136  causes the cone  132  to be solid angled at a different angle, depending upon the construction of the lens  132 . In the preferred embodiment, the lens 132 would be removable to allow for varied cone angling using the same fiber/ring light configuration. 
     FIG. 13 illustrates an alternate embodiment of the light ring technology wherein light ring  170  contains dual rows of apertures  172  surrounding the center opening  174 . When manufacturing, dual rows of apertures, care must be taken to ensure the center opening  174  has a sufficient diameter to provide the user with adequate visibility. The determining factor between single and dual rows of apertures is one of manufacturing costs versus ability to control the cone of illumination. 
     In FIG. 14 an alternate light method is utilized wherein a single fiber  182 , contained within a casing as illustrated in FIG  10 , is placed proximate the apertures  184  and adhered to the light ring  180 . The casing covering the fiber  182  adjacent each aperture  184  is removed to expose the fiber  182  only in the light areas  186 . This permits the light to escape the casing only at the location of each aperture  184 . 
     In applying this technology to lightweight delivery glasses  170 , as illustrated in FIG. 16, the power source  172  is maintained in the user&#39;s pocket. Alternatively, if a sufficiently small power source is economically feasible, the power source can be placed along the earpiece of the glasses. The optic fiber  714  is attached to the power source  172  and split at the end into lit ends  176 . The optic fiber  174  is embedded into the plastic frame  180  and lenses  178  of the glasses  170 , thereby maintaining the lit ends  176  in the appropriate position. The optic fiber  174  can be a single strand, which is split or coupled, or multiple strands, which end at the lit ends. There are several ways to split the single strand to form multiple ends and these will be evident to those skilled in the art. The light source  172  can be a battery powered LED, high intensity light bulb, or any of technology as disclosed above. 
     To further enhance the phase shift, filter glasses can be used incorporating filters that restrict the passage of light for a narrow band of the spectrum. Wrap-around glasses are used in the treatment of retinosis pigmentosis, a condition where the eye becomes hyper-sensitive to common bright light. For this particular use, the filter restricts the intensity of all regions of the environmental light, like neutral gray sunglasses. Another type of filter used is an optical filter called a “cut-on” filter, or “blue blocker.” This filter blocks out the wavelengths transmitting blue while enabling the longer wavelengths to pass through. “Blue blocker” filters, by blocking the blue spectrum, turn blue to black while all other colors appear yellow. 
     The optimal filter for blocking the wavelengths associated with the circadian clock is known as a notch filter. This filter restricts the passage of light for only a narrow band of the spectrum in the wavelength range of about 435. Blocking this wavelength serves to restrict the melatonin production, enabling, if used in combination with the foregoing light applications, the user to override the body&#39;s circadian clock by artificially altering the day/night ratio. By blocking a narrow wavelength, such as a 10 nanometer band, from the environmental band of 300 nanometers, only minuscule color changes are encountered. This alleviates the problems related to color perception, as encountered with the blue blockers, and creates consequently less annoyance for the user. 
     The combination of the disclosed light application and filter glasses provides the user with a new ability to overcome the problems associated with SAD and other problems associated with circadian rhythms. Both the light application glasses and the filter glasses can be worn during activities, thereby freeing the person to function in a normal environment while phase shifting the internal clock. 
     Since other modifications and changes varied to fit particular operating requirements and environments will be apparent to those skilled in the art, the invention is not considered limited to the example chosen for the purposes of disclosure, and covers all changes and modifications which do not constitute departures from the true spirit and scope of this invention.