Treating ophthalmology conditions is one of the specialties at Zen Penguin Wellness. And now we have a new “toy” to help improve almost all vision issues…red light therapy goggles. Let’s take a deeper dive into how this amazing therapy can help your eyesight.
Red light therapy (RLT) has a history that dates back to ancient times. Ancient civilizations utilized the healing red light of the sun to combat all kinds of health issues. RLT, also known as photobiomodulation, is a therapeutic technique that uses low level wavelengths of red light to heal and repair the body at all levels.
RLT was accidentally discovered by Endre Mester in 1967 at the Semmelweis Medical University in Budapest, Hungary. He noticed that laser light helped promote hair growth and wound healing in rats. RLT works by repetitively exposing your body to low levels of red and near-infrared light for a certain period of time. At low wavelengths, red light doesn’t generate heat and penetrates the skin between 1 and 2 millimeters. This red light exposure produces a positive biochemical effect in your cells that strengthens the mitochondria, which is where the cell’s energy is created. RLT does this by increasing the transportation of electrons, oxygen consumption and your levels of ATP (adenosine triphosphate).
So you may be wondering how RLT helps with vision issues. To understand this, you must first also understand that the whole visual system, which includes the optic nerve, the retina and the brain, requires more oxygen than any other part of the body to function optimally. Oxygenation is facilitated by good circulation. Proper circulation is vital for all parts of the body, but especially the eye. This is just one of the ways that RLT helps to improve and maintain healthy vision.
There are 8 ways that RLT can help to improve your vision and precisely why this therapy is now being added to acupuncture treatments in our office. Here’a the list:
1. Improves Mitochondrial Function – RLT stimulates the mitochondria in the cells, producing more ATP, which is critical for cell repair and cell regeneration.
2. Reduces Inflammation – Inflammation and more importantly, chronic inflammation, are contributors to almost every ophthalmology condition. Reducing inflammation leads to improved circulation and helps heal your eyes.
3. Improves Circulation – As mentioned before, circulation is critical for the eyes to function optimally. RLT is a safe and effective way to help improve circulation to the eyes. And using these goggles, focuses the RLT to the exact areas of need.
4. Overall Eye Protection – Studies show that RLT a helps to protect the optic nerve, retina and macula of the eye. RLT reduces oxidative stress to these areas, which can prevent or delay any vision issues later in life.
5. Helps Tear Production – RLT has been shown to improve tear production, which in turn, helps to eliminate the symptoms of dry eye syndrome.
6. Reduces Eye Strain – Studies have shown that regular use of RLT can help to reduce the strain and fatigue created by excessive screen time. This can also be used preventively against eye strokes.
7. Stimulates Collagen Production – Collagen is important for maintaining structural integrity of the eye tissues, especially the cornea and the lens. Collagen also helps in the healing of wounds, which is necessary after procedures like cataract surgery or LASIK.
8. Neuroprotective Properties – RLT has been shown to help protect the cells from degeneration, which can assist in preventing conditions like macular degeneration, glaucoma, retinitis pigmentosa and more.
The research into RLT is ongoing and new information is being uncovered daily. But the studies already conducted show that there is substantial evidence to back up the use of RLT for vision disorders.
The RLT goggles are being used as an adjunctive therapy to acupuncture, diet modification and herbal supplementation. As of right now, the use of RLT therapy as a stand alone treatment to repair vision issues has not been proven. This can always change. But currently, know that we now have one more tool in the toolbox to address any vision problems you are dealing with and there is no extra charge for adding this therapy to your treatments.
To find out more about how acupuncture and East Asian Medicine can help with your vision, please contact us or go online and schedule your first appointment. We’re here to help and always exploring new treatment options.