Light exposure is key to our health and well-being. Many research studies have found that light at the right time can support our biological clock and our sleep. In ageing, bright light can ameliorate cognitive decline. More recently, exposure to bright light in children has been linked to delaying myopia onset.

LightSPAN is led by Asst. Prof. Raymond Najjar (National University of Singapore) and Prof. Dr. Manuel Spitschan (TUMCREATE & Technical University of Munich), and funded by the National Research Foundation of Singapore.

This collaborative project between NUS and TUMCREATE will investigate how we can optimize light exposure to support health and well-being across the lifespan. More specifically, in this project we will develop and test, evidence-based scalable light therapy interventions to prevent or delay the onset of myopia during childhood, and address age-related alterations in circadian rhythms, sleep, mood, alertness, and cognition in older Singaporeans. The final objective is to translate the findings into policy and practice to improve the quality of life, autonomy, and resilience of Singapore’s population.

Co-investigators and collaborators: Prof. Saw Seang Mei (SERI, Duke-NUS), A/Prof Audrey Chia (SERI), A/Prof Victor Koh (NUHS), Asst. Prof. Evelyn Law (A*Star, NUS), Dr Sun Chen Hsin (NUH), Dr Janice Lam (NUH), A/Prof John Wong (NUHS), A/Prof Jamie Zeitzer (Stanford University), Prof Andrea Winkler (TUM), Prof Josef Priller (TUM).