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I. Introduction
Congratulations! You've just bought a Luminette®. Welcome to the world of
portable light therapy.
Before using your Luminette®, please read this notice carefully and keep it
somewhere safe. Also, please take the time to familiarise yourself with your new
appliance using Figure 1.
A. The role of light
The human brain uses the light/dark cycle to synchronise internal functions
including mood, appetite, digestion, sleep, libido, etc. These circadian rhythms
oscillate over a period of 24 hours, forming your biological clock.
Melatonin is what is often called the sleep hormone. The brain starts producing it
when the sun sets, in order to encourage us to sleep. But as the as the sun rises and
the light increases, the brain stops producing it. We get up easily, full of energy.
As well as regulating our body clock, light also greatly affects mood, increases
vigilance and improves physical and intellectual performance.
B. Light therapy
In certain situations, our body clock is no longer in phase with the external
environment. The circadian rhythms are out of sync.
This is particularly true in winter when there is insufficient light; some people
develop SAD syndrome, or seasonal depression. It can also happen to people who
go to sleep too early or too late. Jet lag is another form of a disrupted body clock.
Finally, shift work (which concerns more than 10% of employees in Europe) is
now recognised as causing serious health problems by interfering with circadian
rhythms.
All these problems can be relieved; indeed, completely cured with the correct use
of light and dark. When light is not naturally available, light therapy is the medical
solution which offers the most advantages for the least unwanted side effects.
C. Applications
•
Seasonal Affective Disorder (winter blues)
•
Fatigue - lack of energy
•
Circadian rhythm sleep disorder
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•
Jet lag
•
Working antisocial hours
D. Contraindications
No matter what your reason is for using Luminette®, we recommend not
exceeding the recommended daily duration of use.
There are very few contraindications.
If you have an eye disease (glaucoma, retinitis or retinopathy, or macular
degeneration), we recommend that you consult a specialist before using the
Luminette. If you have cataracts, light therapy may be less effective.
If you are concerned by a psychiatric condition (depression, hysteria, neurosis and
psychosis), it is recommended to consult a doctor before using the appliance.
It is also not advisable to use the Luminette® while driving a vehicle, or using
machinery requiring concentration or a wide field of vision.
Luminette can also be worn over contact lenses or corrective glasses. For optimal
results, the nose bracket of the Luminette should be placed behind corrective
glasses. Note that it is not recommended to use Luminette with sunglasses or any
color-filtering glasses.
E. Possible reactions
Possible adverse reactions to light from this appliance are relatively mild and of a
transient nature. They may include:
•
Headache.
•
Eyestrain or visual disturbances, intraocular pressure.
•
Nausea.
•
Agitation, sedation, jumpiness/jitteriness and very rarely hypomania or
mania.
Measures to avoid, minimise or alleviate these adverse reactions:
•
Always use the appliance in a well-lit room.
•
Reduce the light intensity if these reactions occur.
•
Stop using the appliance for a few days to make the reactions disappear
and then try again.
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