Melanin is dark-brown to black pigment occurring in hair, skin, and iris of eyes.

Melanin is a naturally occurring pigment found throughout the human body that helps determine such physical characteristics as hair and skin color Melanin in the eyes, however, plays a much more essential role, both protecting against damage and aiding visual acuity. Melanin lens can help the iris filter hamful light, melanin found in the eye's inner lining reduces glare and increase contrast, and melanin deep in the eye protects sensitive retinal tissue.

In 1981, as part of his doctoral dissertation on the optical properties of melanin, Dr. Gallas conducted a series of studies with the intent of incorporating melanin into transparent plastics for the purpose of making protective eyeglasses. Recognizing melanin as a natural system of protection against damaging light, Dr. Gallas incorporated  these features into common plastic plastics used in eyeglasses lenses. This led to a series of patents which he later assigned to PPT. Dr. Gallas is currently CEO of PPT and continues to do research on melanin and its protective aspects in eye protection