CLEVELAND -- For many of us, getting to sleep at night can be nearly impossible, but now a new device developed by local doctors might help you get your Z's, reported NewsChannel5's Angie Lau.

The sleep hormone melatonin, which is released when it starts to get dark, plays a critical role in your health.

If the body doesn't make enough melatonin, patients can suffer depression and other medical problems.

Dr. Richard Hansler is part of a team of scientists at John Carroll University that has created an array of products that can help patients fall asleep faster.

The products are coated with something that blocks blue light, which suppresses the production of melatonin.

Bernie Doyle has been wearing the glasses since November and says it’s changed his life.

“My wife would frequently wake me up in the middle of the night. You start thinking about work and jobs and things you have to do, and before you know it, you're wide awake and have to figure out how to get back to sleep," Doyle said.

Now, he puts them on a couple hours before bed and goes about his routine. He has even shared them with friends and family members.

Hansler is also conducting a clinical trial with new mothers to see how the specially coated nightlights may help curb postpartum depression.

When mothers wake up in the middle of the night, ordinary light shuts down the flow of melatonin and moms have trouble getting back to sleep.

The amber nightlights allow the melatonin to continue flowing so they can fall asleep more easily.

People with sleep disorders, attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, and other medical problems have also benefited from this light innovation study.

About 450 glasses have been sold and only a handful have been returned.

For more information go to www.lowbluelights.com.