Wellness Eyewear-Relax, Focus, Boost, Refresh
A new dimension of eyewear designed to complement a healthy lifestyle, resonate emotionally and increase performance. A different way of thinking about eyewear!
When colors go beyond your vision-Color allows us to recognize objects and it facilitates our visual memory. Scientific evidence suggests that color also has a deeper effect that goes beyond vision, as it is connected to how we feel. In the eyewear market, tinted sunglasses are normally used to filter the harmful effects of sun light, enhance contrast and offer better vision.
Besides protection and performance, research done by ZEISS suggests that people want to feel good with sunglasses as well, whether they want to relax, get energized or improve their look. BioChrom® is a new technology that offers protection but can also positively impact your mood, performance and wellbeing.
Color, more than just a visual process-The science of color perception-color signals are processed in the brain as part of a network-like structure, and not just in the visual cortex, but also other regions, including those primarily responsible for memories and emotions. This explains why colors are far more than just visual information and evoke emotional and physiological reactions.
But which color elicits a particular response? To get to the bottom of this question, ZEISS performed in-depth reviews of existing research studies and then commissioned more at the ZEISS Vision Science Lab in Germany, and one at the Behavior and BrainLab University in Milan, Italy. Various measuring methods (EEG, pupillometry, eye tracking, skin conductance and heart rate measurements) were used to investigate what specific neurological, physiological and psychological effects the four ZEISS BioChrom lens tints can have on us.
Need an Emotional Recharge? Want to Feel Refreshed?
Refreshing Blue
A lot of us have heard that blue light impacts our sleep/wake cycle. Blue has an activating effect as it makes us think of refreshing water or a clear blue sky. And there's scientific evidence to back this up. A previous study showed that test subjects were better able to concentrate at night when exposed to blue light (as compared to white or red light). They also felt less tired. Researchers found that wearers of the BioChrom blue-tinted lenses became physiologically active more quickly when transitioning out of a quiet phase, and that their ability to concentrate improved. ZEISS BioChrom blue stands for "Refresh."
A Calming Green
Various studies have shown that green is perceived as calming and relaxing. One recent trend is called "forest bathing": people immerse themselves in the gentle green of the trees in order to take a rejuvenating break from the stresses of daily life. Creativity is also associated with green. An interesting study demonstrated that migraine patients handle green light best, perceiving it as the least painful and reduced pain intensity. All in all, green has been scientifically proven to have a calming, generally positive effect on the body and mind. ZEISS BioChrom green stands for "Relax."
Yellow for greater concentration
The warm, bright color yellow is associated with concentration, attentiveness and joy. While not alarming like red, it does cause people to focus. Yellow light increases our contrast sensitivity and can lead to improved reaction times. Studies have documented how yellow helps us to stay focused: particularly under challenging conditions. A yellow filter placed over the text can increase reading speed and reading ability. The ZEISS study demonstrated the theory that BioChrom yellow-tinted lenses assist us with staying focused while completing a task. The feeling that this color helps improve our ability to concentrate has been scientifically verified. ZEISS BioChrom Yellow stands for "Focus."
Emotionally charged red
Red is the color of love but also of rage. No matter the context, it's the color of strong emotions. Physiological tests have shown that the color red causes the strongest emotional activation and is best-suited to a challenging situation that demands considerable motivation and action. ZEISS BioChrom Red stands for "Boost."
Traditionally, a lot of colors have been associated with a specific function – even if these vary from one culture to the next. Whoever intends to avoid making too much of a fashion statement with their sunglasses and wants realistic color perception opts for brown or gray lenses. These are the two tints usually recommended at an eye care professional's (ECP) office.
Pilots, meanwhile, seem to always go for green lenses. The emperor Nero supposedly watched gladiator fights while looking through a transparent green stone since it was purportedly better for your eyes. A green found in nature, such as that of a forest in springtime, was said to have restorative qualities. In the first half of the 19th century, green and blue lenses were worn in the parlor – the wearers thought these would make them feel refreshed.
Gamers who spend hours playing online opt for lenses with a yellow tint. These lenses supposedly increase concentration while also protecting against potentially damaging blue light.
And what about someone who wears rose-colored glasses: is this person really more optimistic?
Could there be something to all this? One thing is certain: just how colors affect us varies enormously from person to person and depends on the particular situation. But the fact of the matter is that studies have confirmed real effects. Coming soon!
