optical countermeasure to circadian rhythm sleep disorders in shiftwork – CHRONOMOFOS

In industrialized countries, 20% of the working population is involved light work or shift work. It is in 2012 about 5 millions French people, and the number is increasing. Health consequences of shiftwork are well known, and recognized at the national and international level (OMS, HAS, Dares, Conseil Economique). They are severe and observed in all compartments of human physiology. Night workers show disorders in their sleep, mood, cognitive performance, memory, metabolism, cardiovascular and digestive systems. They also have a higher prevalence for cancer. To date, the direct and indirect costs of shift work and shift work disorders are unknown; however, the global economic burden of sleep disorders, including those related to shift work, are estimated to be over 50 billion dollars in the USA. Shift work disorders, however, are underdiagnosed, poorly identified, and current therapeutic approaches largely insufficient.
Desynchronization of the circadian timing system is known to be involved in the pathologies related to shift work disorders, but the precise mechanisms involved are unknown. Recent research show that the chronobiological properties of light can be used to adapt the circadian clock to night and shift work , however, practical applications are impractical or poorly efficient. There is no ophthalmic device on the market. Translational research is therefore necessary to develop practical tools aimed at reducing or avoiding chronobiological disorders associated to night and shift work.
Essilor has an exceptional knowledge and know-how in technologies of light filtering. Inserm possesses unique expertise and knowledge in chronobiology and non-visual physiology, as well as the clinical and experimental technologies and setup. Institut de la vision is an international leader in the field of light phototoxicity, and can assess the safety of ophthalmic filters. We have decided to associate our unique expertise, in order to develop innovating tools, aimed at protect night and shift workers.
The goal of our project CHRONOMOFOS is to develop an ophthalmic product reducing or avoiding health consequences of night and shift work. The project is based on sound science and investigations in fundamental and clinical research in chronobiology and photobiology. The project is articulated around 4 task: 1) development of selective band-rejection filter, and evaluation of their effect on non-visual physiology; 2) evaluation of the efficacy of a candidate band-rejection filter as a countermeasure to circadian and sleep disorders in a simulated shift work study; 3) assessment that band-rejection filters are safe in a study measuring retinal phototoxicity; et 4) evaluation of the efficacy of an ophthalmic filter as a countermeasure to circadian and sleep disorders in a real shift work field study.
The project is at low risk and high probability of success. The market is growing and coherent with the strategy of Essilor. The product developed will be economically viable because supported by night and shift workers, employers, and occupational physicians.
The development of tools reducing or avoiding health consequences of night and shift work is critical, our project CHRONOMOFOS is designed for this.