Eye protection

Marshall ProtocolA curative medical treatment for chronic inflammatory disease. Based on the Marshall Pathogenesis. (MP) patients should protect their eyes from the effects of light both indoors and outdoors when they exhibit the symptoms of photosensitivityAbnormal sensitivity to sunlight and bright lights. Also referred to as "sun flare" or "light flare.". Eye protection options are summarized below.

NoIRsSpecial sunglasses worn by Marshall Protocol patients to block light. provide needed protection from infrared, ultraviolet, and blue light, as well as bright visible light. NoIRs are available in various styles, some of which are designed to fit over prescription glasses.

For those who do not wear prescription glasses and would like a more stylish pair of sunglasses than those available from NoIRSpecial sunglasses worn by Marshall Protocol patients to block light., Bolle, Julbo, Hidalgo and other brands offer stylish sunglasses with specifications very similar to the NoIR.

Prescription sunglasses are another eye protection option available to MP patients, however, those sunglasses must meet the specifications listed for NoIRs with respect to amount and types of light blocked.

Sunglasses review

I have always wanted to share more information on my experiences with sunglasses. Here is my opinion. If I had to only buy one pair, the clear winner for me from the below reviews are the Julbo Nomads. A combination I might do is the 2% lenses from NoIR in a Julbo Nomad frame; this could prove to be the best pair for me. The base curve on the lenses will fit into the Julbos. Base curve 8.

Julbo Nomad frames with Spectron 4 lenses (5% light allowed)
Where I Bought: I bought mine at REI, but there are a few online stores to get them cheaper, do some Googling :)
Specs: Block 95% of visible light, up to 70% IR from what I can find.
Comments:

• these provide the best fit to my face, and provide plastic side deflectors for peripheral vision.
• the lightest frame
• they do not slip easly, if ever
• all day comfort, I hardly notice I am wearing them most days
• I wear them inside, watching tv, using the computer, while at the office all day
• I wear them outside, for daytime driving, walking around, getting the mail, etc… I will wear them at night if I am not driving
• I am wearing them as I type this
• a darker lense could be needed on sun intense days outside
• more natural colors, as they do not block as much blue as NoIR

NoIR Style #35 frames, I will review the lenses separately
Where I Bought: NoIR Medical Comments:

• slip very easily, if I look down, I can expect them to slip down my nose
• they are noticable while wearing. I will get slight irritation where they rest on my ears
• they do no block as much light around my eyes, side, bottom, above, as the Julbos

NoIR 10% lenses with Style #35
Specs: Block 90% of visible light, all IR, blue light
Comments:

• I will wear these around the house when the lighting is too dark to use the Julbo Spectron 4s
• I test drove these for a 2 days at the office, same lighting conditions each day. and They do not provide as much relief as the Spectron 4 lenses

NoIR 40% lenses with Style #35
Specs: Block 60% of visible light, all IR, blue light
Comments:

• I have found these useful while driving at night to protect my eyes from oncoming headlights
• these stay in my car for night driving, clear winner for driving at night

Ray-ban RB3217 frames with B15 polarized lenses:
Where I Bought: Sunglass Hut (returned too)
Specs: Block 85% of visible light, not sure about other spectrum, lower IR than the others
Comments:

• I do not recommend these for the MP. They are ranked below the NoIR 10%. They do no block enough IR, and the polarized is a horrible choice for computer use. As LCD monitors do not mix well with polarization, depending on the tilt of the lense, they screen will go black.
• As a matter of fact, I had a heated discussion with a sales rep at sunglass hut about ray-ban, and the best they will do is block 85% of light, and not enough IR blocking. This is reasonable though, as they are tuned for a great optical experience, not for the MP :)
• Hands down best shades for fishing or golfing :), but not for MPers

Cbay, CureMyTh1.org

Welding glasses come in various shades denoted by numbers; #3 & #5 seem quite common. Permissible light transmissionAn incident in which an infectious disease is transmitted. for each shade is governed by various standards (ANSI Z49.1-1967 in the US & EN169 in Europe).

A few weeks ago I found out that the transmission of visible light for #3s should be 10-15%, and for #5s 1-2%, & reasoned that welding glasses would also have to block UV, IR & blue light - welding arcs are blue-white and hot. But I wasn't able to confirm this.

Today I found these figures from a US manufacturer (Elvex): UV protection 99.9% Blue light protection 99.7-99.9% IR protection 97.5% Visible light transmission #3: 10%, #5:1.3% (see https://tinyurl.com/y9e399o)

This is significant because: a) welding glasses may offer equivalent (or only slightly inferior) protection to NoIRs. b) welding glasses are cheap c) NoIRs aren't available in China & would be considered expensive here. Lack of suitable/affordable eye protection could cause problems with the WCH trial. Welding glasses could fill this need.

I understand that MPers develop varying degrees &/ types of light sensitivity. So until quite a few people have tried welding glasses it'll be difficult to know how well they work for us.

But if you already have eye protection that works for you & feel like trying something different, here are some possibilities:

- Elvex SG25-W3, SG25-W5 (Fitovers? PC mirror/NCB grey lenses offer less complete protection but might be OK for some; see link above) - Sperian Millenia 1006405 (#3) & 1006406 (#5) (Wraparound style - called Bacou-Dalloz in Europe I think) - In Europe: Lux Optical Visilux 60405 (#5* fitovers) /Soudlux 60820 (#5)

I plan to try Millenia & Visilux models. If you try any welding glasses & have feedback about how well they work - especially compared to NoIRs (or whatever) - I for one would appreciate it.

* Visilux 60404 transmits 3-8%, Visilux 60403 transmits 8-18% of visible light. These sound like #4s and #3s respectively, but the manufacturer's page doesn't explcitly state this anywhere I could find. See https://www.lux-optical.com ,“welding protection” & “the overglasses”.

Ok - for people in the US here are some online stores selling mainly wraparound styles in IR #5 (~2%), #3 (~10%) & #2 (~37%) from $6.15:

https://www.safetyglassesusa.com/ir-protection.html https://www.safetyglassesinc.com/Safety-Glasses/Filtered-Safety-Glasses/ https://www.discountsafetygear.com/eye-protection.html

If anyone finds sources of IR #5 fitovers, &/or links more convenient for people outside the USA please post them.

Prescription lens wearers could use some Uvex products with a bit of help from an optician. “Rx inserts” are available for Uvex XCs which come in #3 and #5. It might also be possible to retrofit Uvex Horizons* with clear or lightly shaded prescription lenses to get a convenient (but perhaps not terribly attractive) flip-up style.

(If you decide to buy some, please confirm the glasses are “IR3” or “shade 3” & certified for welding protection first - some vendors' websites are very vague on this.)

• https://www.safetyglassesusa.com/s3306.html,
• https://www.safetyglassesusa.com/s3307.html
• $19 - see https://www.safetyglassesusa.com/brandnames-uvex-xc.html, near bottom. Note also availability of inexpensive IR #3/#5 replacement lenses for Uvex XCs.
• https://www.safetyglassesusa.com/s212.html

pgeek, MarshallProtocol.com