About Chrono Eyewear and PROPEAQ
The company behind the PROPEAQ brand is Chrono Eyewear, a Dutch company founded in 2015 by Toine Schoutens.
The name Chrono refers to the biological clock, also known as the circadian rhythm or sleep–wake cycle, the natural mechanism that determines when we are active and when we rest. Eyewear refers to the form of our products: wearable light therapy in the shape of glasses.
Our mission is to improve people’s quality of life worldwide through wearable light therapy. We achieve this by:
- Developing and producing innovative light therapy solutions that allow you to actively manage your biorhythm.
- Creating greater awareness of the power of light and its influence on health, energy, and wellbeing.
At Chrono Eyewear, we believe that light is the key to balance, energy, and recovery.
Read below to learn more about the history of Chrono Eyewear and PROPEAQ, and discover how we work every day towards the future of smart light.
PROPEAQ History
1987
First introduction to light therapy
PROPEAQ founder Toine Schoutens first encountered light therapy during his work as a nurse, when he was asked to research its effects on seasonal depression. He was immediately fascinated by the powerful influence of light on mood and energy. Based on the study’s results, Toine developed a treatment protocol and built the first prototype light box. His findings were later presented at the conference of the Dutch Association for Psychiatry.
1994
Collaboration with Philips
Toine worked for Philips, where he was involved in the development of the Philips Original Bright Light and the Philips Wake-Up Light. During this time, he further expanded his technological expertise in light and health.
1999
Research at TU/e
Toine was approached by Professor Dr Ton Begemann to collaborate within the Light and Health Research Foundation, affiliated with the Eindhoven University of Technology. This partnership provided the opportunity to conduct long-term, in-depth research into the effects of light on health and performance.
2007
First prototypes
Toine developed the first prototypes of the wearable light therapy glasses, making light therapy mobile and personal for the very first time. It was a major step towards making light therapy accessible beyond the clinical environment.
2008
Breakthrough at the Olympic Games
The wearable light therapy glasses were used for the first time during the Beijing Olympic Games. Maarten van der Weijden incorporated the glasses into his preparation and went on to win gold in the 10 km open water swimming event. It was an iconic moment that confirmed the potential of light therapy in achieving peak athletic performance.
2015
The founding of PROPEAQ
Founding of Chrono Eyewear and the PROPEAQ brand. The name PROPEAQ combines the words “professional” and “peak performance”, symbolising the pursuit of optimal performance through smart use of light.
2016
Introduction of first PROPEAQ light glasses
The first PROPEAQ light therapy glasses were launched and immediately adopted by several Olympic sports teams during the Rio de Janeiro Summer Games. Among the early users were the Australian Dolphins, Dutch gymnasts, athletes, and swimmers, as well as the Belgian national swimming team. In addition to elite sports, the glasses soon found wider applications, including use by people working irregular or night shifts.
2017
Research into Parkinson’s disease
The first scientific study on the effects of the PROPEAQ light therapy glasses in people with Parkinson’s disease was launched. The results showed improved sleep, reduced daytime sleepiness, and a more positive mood among participants. The findings were published in 2019.
2018
Olympic games PyeongChang
During the PyeongChang Winter Olympic Games, several teams used the PROPEAQ light therapy glasses, including the Dutch speed skaters and short track teams, Swiss skiers, Belgian bobsleigh athletes, and the Danish curling team. Since 2012, multiple international Olympic teams have relied on PROPEAQ at every edition of the Games to optimise their performance and maintain a balanced circadian rhythm across time zones.
2020
Additional research into Parkinson's
Following the successful results of 2017, a large-scale randomised controlled trial (RCT) was launched in 2020 to study the effects of the PROPEAQ light therapy glasses in people with Parkinson’s disease. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the study has experienced significant delays. The publication of the results is expected in autumn 2025.
2025
Growth and innovation
The PROPEAQ team expanded and launched a new website and webshop.
As activities scaled up, the development of the innovative Smart Safety Glasses marked a new phase in light technology. Together with its partners GBO Innovation Makers and Dual Inventive, PROPEAQ received an iF Design Award in recognition of the groundbreaking design of the Smart Safety Glasses.
Meet the team
We're pleased to introduce ourselves
Toine Schoutens
Toine is a qualified nurse and the founder of Chrono Eyewear, with more than 35 years of experience in the field of light and health. His expertise has resulted in numerous scientific and popular-scientific publications in a wide range of journals and magazines. He also serves as an advisor to various elite sports teams and Olympic committees across several countries. In his personal life, Toine enjoys travelling to destinations known for their culinary charm and culture.
Marc Schoutens
Marc is the Commercial Director at Chrono Eyewear, bringing more than 25 years of experience in the medical device industry. He will soon complete his Master’s in Business Administration & Artificial Intelligence. With his broad expertise, Marc contributes to the growth and innovation of PROPEAQ, helping to bridge technology, health, and human performance. Outside of work, Marc enjoys taking long journeys on classic mopeds.
Kees Huussen
Kees is a strategic hands-on leader with management experience across every area of the organisation. Whether it’s finance, operations, or growth, he brings clarity, energy, and practical solutions to every challenge.
Esther Groenhuijzen
Esther works as a Chrono Coach, delivering knowledge sessions, workshops, and training programmes focused on improving the sleep–wake rhythm of people who work irregular hours, experience winter blues, or live with ADHD or Parkinson’s disease. She provides clear insight into the importance of (day)light, the body’s natural rhythm, and offers practical guidance to improve sleep quality.
With her enthusiastic and engaging style, Esther translates scientific knowledge into accessible, everyday language that inspires people to take action.
Jelle van Abeelen
Jelle works as Supply Chain Manager, focusing mainly on logistics and process optimisation. He also enjoys contributing ideas for the further development of both the PROPEAQ light therapy glasses and the accompanying apps. Born and raised in Tilburg, Jelle is passionate about sports, and in his free time he enjoys good food and drinks in good company.
Wouter Quispel
As a former elite athlete, he developed an early fascination with science and technology that enhance human performance. He now brings that same passion to his role as Project Manager at PROPEAQ, using his experience to help people get the most out of everyday life, with a little extra boost from smart light technology.