As people age, particularly after 40, many experience a decline in vision, a condition medically known as presbyopia. This natural process involves the eye's lens becoming less flexible, making close-up tasks like reading difficult. While glasses have long been the primary solution, a growing area of research, photobiomodulation, is exploring the use of specific light wavelengths to aid eye health.
Photobiomodulation utilizes red (up to 750nm) and infrared (above 750nm) light wavelengths to stimulate retinal cells, potentially improving their function and slowing vision loss. A 2021 study at University College London (UCL) involving 20 adults aged 34 to 70 found noticeable vision improvements after a daily three-minute exposure to a 670nm red light wavelength over two weeks. The research suggests this effect is linked to the stimulation of mitochondria, the energy-producing components within cells.
Previous work by the same UCL team, published in the Journal of Gerontology in 2020, indicated that brief red light exposure could restore visual function in aging eyes by impacting mitochondrial performance. The 2021 study further noted that this morning exposure enhanced the sensitivity of rod and cone cells, responsible for low-light vision and color perception, respectively. Interestingly, afternoon exposure to the same light did not yield similar results, with prior research on fruit flies suggesting a shift in mitochondrial activity patterns later in the day.
Professor Glen Jeffery, a neuroscience professor who led the UCL studies, stated that these findings demonstrate that morning red light exposure can significantly improve declining vision, a global health issue. This research has led to a market of at-home red-light devices, ranging in price, that claim to enhance eyesight.
However, experts advise caution regarding these consumer devices. Professor Jeffery noted that many devices are of questionable quality and may emit excessive power. He did, however, single out the "Eyepower Red glasses" at £85 as a potentially better-calibrated and reasonably valued option. These glasses project a 670nm deep red light, which the manufacturer claims promotes long-term eye health by improving mitochondrial efficiency. The manufacturer also suggests their glasses may be used post-cataract surgery, or to help maintain eye health in cases of macular degeneration or glaucoma, though no clinical evidence supports these claims.
Research into photobiomodulation for specific eye conditions is still in its early stages. Some promising results have emerged for dry age-related macular degeneration (AMD), a leading cause of blindness. A US study showed that the "Valeda Light Delivery System," a tabletop device, significantly slowed the progression of dry AMD in 100 patients over two years. This device is approved for private clinic use but not funded by the NHS. Additionally, research from China in 2022 suggested red light therapy could slow myopia progression in children, though long-term efficacy data remains limited.
One individual who trialed the Eyepower Red glasses, designed to align with UCL study parameters, reported positive subjective experiences after four weeks of twice-weekly use. They noted that glancing at their phone without glasses felt easier and their night vision seemed sharper. Professor Jeffery corroborated that dark adaptation and color perception could improve, though these changes might not be consciously noticed. He emphasized the need for consistent, weekly use, stating that effects are not permanent.
Mfazo Hove, a consultant ophthalmic surgeon, acknowledged red light therapy as a legitimate scientific field but highlighted the unevenness of evidence across different applications, particularly for consumer devices. While acknowledging the interesting mitochondrial findings from the UCL study, Hove stated that based on the limited evidence from a small group of individuals without eye disease, he would not consider red light an established treatment. He recommended traditional eye care practices, such as regular check-ups, managing blood pressure and sugar, not smoking, and UV protection, as the most reliable methods for eye health for those over 40.
The manufacturer of the Eyepower Red glasses concedes that sufficient clinical trials have not yet been conducted to establish definitive therapeutic properties. The individual who trialed the glasses plans to continue their weekly use and monitor further developments in the field.