In addition to stimulating the visual system, light incident on the retina stimulates other biological functions, also referred to as non-visual responses. Among the most notable biological functions are human circadian rhythms, which are bodily rhythms that, in constant darkness, oscillate with a period close to, but typically slightly longer than 24 hours. Twenty-four-hour light–dark patterns incident on the retina are the major synchroniser of circadian rhythms to the local time on Earth. Entrainment of circadian rhythms has been implicated in health and well-being. Light can also elicit an acute alerting effect on people, similar to a ‘cup of coffee.’ This review summarises the literature on how light affects entrainment and alertness and how it can be used to achieve these aims.

中文翻译：

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光的非视觉效应：如何利用光促进昼夜节律调节并引起警觉

除了刺激视觉系统外，入射到视网膜上的光还会刺激其他生物功能，也称为非视觉反应。其中最显着的生物学功能是人类昼夜节律，这是一种身体节律，在持续的黑暗中，以接近但通常略长于 24 小时的周期振荡。入射在视网膜上的二十四小时明暗模式是昼夜节律与地球当地时间的主要同步器。昼夜节律的夹带与健康和幸福有关。光也可以引起对人的急性警报效应，类似于“一杯咖啡”。本综述总结了关于光如何影响夹带和警觉性以及如何使用它来实现这些目标的文献。