Explore how red and near-infrared light therapy support pregnancy, healing, and postpartum care by enhancing cellular regeneration and reducing inflammation.
As technology advances, our eyes often pay the price. More people now spend the working day at a desk, eyes fixed on a computer screen.
Whether at home or on the bus, we stay glued to smartphones and tablets, remaining connected to the world. What we may not notice is that extra screen time can gradually erode vision.
Long stretches of staring at a phone, laptop, or tablet can leave eyes tired, itchy, and dry, sometimes leading to blurred vision and headaches. This cluster of symptoms has a name: computer vision syndrome.
Computer vision syndrome refers to vision-related problems linked to prolonged use of digital devices. Other visual disturbances can stem from cataracts, uncorrected refractive error, migraine, aging, glaucoma, trauma, and more.
Light therapy may offer one way to ease eye strain and support aging eyes. Researchers at University College London reported in the Journals of Gerontology that brief red-light exposure might modestly improve retinal function, possibly by supporting mitochondria and adenosine triphosphate (ATP) activity.
How would this work? Mitochondria generate most of the chemical energy cells need, storing it as ATP. Healthy ATP turnover is essential for cellular repair and function, including in the retina.
The retina ages faster than any other tissue in the body, notes Glen Jeffery, the study’s lead author and a neuroscience professor at UCL’s Institute of Ophthalmology. He adds that retinal ATP can fall by up to 70 % over a lifetime, a drop that may contribute to declining vision.
Red-light therapy devices aim to replenish that energy shortfall by stimulating mitochondrial ATP production, potentially helping cells maintain normal function.
In the study, 21 healthy adults aged 28–72 looked into a small LED torch for three minutes each day over two weeks. Participants younger than 40 showed no measurable change, while those over 40 improved colour contrast sensitivity by up to 20 %.
Jeffery likens the effect to “re-charging a battery”: brief, specific wavelengths appear to restore part of the energy system that had declined in retinal cells.
PubMed search for red-light retinal studies | NHS eye health overview
Although more research is needed, the findings highlight red light’s potential to support eye function. Earlier work showed similar benefits in animals; the linked trial is the first to test the approach in humans. Those studies also reported improved retinal performance and hints of damage reversal.
For people seeking non-invasive options, the outlook appears promising. As the lead investigator noted, “the technology is simple and very safe.”
Kayian Medical’s red-light therapy devices are certified for professional use and may offer a gentle way to support ocular wellness.
