Overview

Just a few minutes of exposure to a deep red light or near-infrared light could have a dramatic effect on preventing eyesight decline as you age, a new study finds.

The science and other stuff to know

Our eyesight naturally deteriorates as we age, especially after the age of 40. But a study by scientists at University College London (UCL) has shown that brief exposure to the right kind of light can improve declining vision. According to study findings, published in the Journals of Gerontology, a three-minute exposure to 670-nanometer (long wavelength) deep red light in the morning once a week can improve color contrast vision by 17 percent. The science works because red light stimulates the health of mitochondria.

“Our study shows that it is possible to significantly improve vision that has declined in aged individuals using simple brief exposures to light wavelengths that recharge the energy system that has declined in the retina cells, rather like re-charging a battery,” lead study author Professor Glen Jeffery, from the UCL Institute of Ophthalmology, said in a statement.

“The technology is simple and very safe, using a deep red light of a specific wavelength that is absorbed by mitochondria in the retina that supply energy for cellular function,” he added.

The study team conducted the experiment on 24 volunteers, aged between 34 and 70, who had no history of eye disease.

So what?

The findings in this study mark a huge breakthrough for eye health. According to scientists, this eye treatment approach “could signal the dawn of new affordable home-based eye therapies.” Ultimately, it could help millions of people with naturally declining vision.

“We demonstrate that one single exposure to long wave deep red light in the morning can significantly improve declining vision, which is a major health and wellbeing issue, affecting millions of people globally,” Jeffery said.

“This simple intervention applied at the population level would significantly impact on quality of life as people age and would likely result in reduced social costs that arise from problems associated with reduced vision,” he added.

Additionally, this eye treatment is non-invasive and no surgeries nor medicine is required.

What’s next?

Besides eyesight problems, mitochondria are implicated in a number of diseases. Thus, insights like could also help lead to new treatments for patients with diseases such as diabetes and Parkinson’s.