Is Red Light Therapy Safe For Eyes?
Red light therapy helps heal wounds, boosts circulation, and improves skin health.. But is it really safe for your eyes? Many worry about potential long-term effects, and that concern can be stressful. The good news is, with the right precautions, you can enjoy these benefits while keeping your eyes safe. Here’s what you need to know.
Is Red Light Therapy Safe for Your Eyes? Discover What Studies Reveal
Red light therapy is not only safe for you but also offers several benefits for your eyes. Here are some studies that show how it can help with conditions like glaucoma, retinitis pigmentosa, improve color contrast vision, and reduce eye wrinkles.
Red Light Therapy Can Help Those with Glaucoma
Around 80 million people around the world have glaucoma, with over 3 million in the U.S., and about half of them don’t know they have it.
Glaucoma is a group of eye diseases that can damage the optic nerve, usually caused by high pressure in the eye. It often develops slowly and can lead to vision loss if not treated.
Many people might not notice any symptoms at first, so it’s very important for them to have regular eye check-ups.
For those with glaucoma, it’s important to find treatment options that can help. One option they can consider is red light therapy. This treatment uses special red light to give energy to the retina, helping eye cells work better.
For example, research published in the journal Bioengineering found that red light can improve how well retinal cells function and reduce swelling.
On the other hand, too much blue light can harm retinal cells and damage the optic nerve. By reducing blue light exposure and adding red light therapy to their routine, people can slow down the progression of glaucoma and protect their eyesight for years to come.
Research Reveals Red Light Therapy Aids Retinitis Pigmentosa Recovery
Retinitis pigmentosa (RP) is a condition that affects about 2 million people worldwide, or about 1 in every 3,000 to 4,000 people.
It’s a genetic eye disease that damages your retina, the part of your eye that helps you see. You might first notice that it’s hard to see at night or that you’re losing your side vision. As RP gets worse, it can lead to serious vision loss.
But there’s good news! New treatments are being developed, and one exciting option is called red light therapy. This therapy can help improve the energy of your retinal cells and reduce damage to them.
In a study published in the Journal of Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science, researchers looked at how 670 nm light therapy affected P23H rats, which are often used to study RP. The researchers treated the rats with special near-infrared LED light for five days.
The results were promising. The therapy helped increase the activity of mitochondria in the cells. Mitochondria are like tiny power plants in your cells, providing the energy they need to work properly.
When your retinal cells have more energy, they can function better and stay healthier.
Most importantly, this therapy reduced the death of photoreceptor cells—those are the cells that help you see—by nearly 50%. This is really important because losing these cells is a big part of what causes vision loss in RP.
Red light therapy improve color contrast vision
Color contrast refers to the difference between two colors. It helps you easily distinguish one color from another, making designs, text, or images clearer and more noticeable.
When there’s poor color contrast, it becomes hard for you to see or read things clearly. Colors may blend together, making important details difficult to understand and causing eye strain or confusion.
Luckily, there are ways to enhance color contrast vision. A 2021 study by UCL researchers explored how deep red light impacts vision, specifically color contrast.
They tested 20 participants by exposing them to three minutes of 670nm (long wavelength) deep red light, delivered in the morning. They found that the exposure improved participants’ color contrast vision by an average of 17%, with some seeing up to a 20% improvement.
The effects lasted for at least a week after a single session. This study shows how red light therapy can enhance color contrast vision, especially when applied in the morning, marking a promising approach to eye health.
Research Shows Red Light Therapy Effectively Reduces Eye Wrinkles
If you’re struggling with wrinkles around your eyes, you’re not alone. Many people deal with this issue as they age, but there’s good news: red light therapy might help.
A study by Chan Hee Nam and others in 2017 looked at how well low-level light therapy (LLLT) using red light (660 nm) works for treating these wrinkles.
In the study, 52 women received daily treatments for 12 weeks. The results showed that both red and white LED therapies improved the appearance of wrinkles, but the women using red light were a bit happier with their results.
Precautions to Take When Using Red Light Therapy to Protect Your Eyes
Red light therapy is generally safe, but you should be cautious regarding eye exposure and follow precautions to protect your eyes, says Dr. Anil Rajani. Here are the precautions you should follow when using red light therapy to protect your eyes.
Use Eye protection: When using red light therapy, make sure to pop on some goggles to keep your eyes safe from the bright lights.
Follow manufacturer’s instructions: Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions when using red light therapy. This keeps you safe and ensures you get the best results.
Keep a Safe Distance from Your Eyes: It’s important to keep a safe distance from your eyes during red light therapy. You should maintain about 6 inches and adjust the distance based on your skin’s response.
Consult your doctor: If you’ve had eye surgery, take medications that increase sensitivity, or have a history of skin cancer or eye conditions, it’s important to consult your doctor before using red light therapy. This way, you can be sure it’s safe for your eyes.
Is red light therapy safe for people who wear contact lenses?
If you wear contact lenses, it’s a good idea to remove them before undergoing red light therapy. This is because the lenses can potentially interfere with how the light interacts with your eyes, which may reduce the effectiveness of the treatment or cause discomfort. Of course, everyone’s eyes are different, and it’s always smart to consult your doctor to get personalized advice that fits your specific needs
Can I just close my eyes when using red light therapy?
it’s a good idea to close your eyes for protection. You might also want to wear specialized eye protection for added safety. If you’re unsure, consult your doctor for personalized advice to ensure you can enjoy the benefits without risking your eye health.
Key Takeaways
- Red light therapy is generally safe for your eyes and can provide benefits for conditions like glaucoma and retinitis pigmentosa.
- Research indicates that red light therapy can improve color contrast vision by up to 20% with lasting effects from just one session.
- Regular use of red light therapy has been shown to reduce eye wrinkles, enhancing your appearance over time.
- Always use protective goggles during red light therapy to safeguard your eyes from bright light exposure.
- Consult your doctor if you have eye conditions or a history of eye surgery before starting red light therapy to ensure it’s safe for you.
