LED light therapy is not a new treatment, yet many people have never heard of it. NASA studied the effects of LEDs on wound healing back in the 1990s. So what’s exactly LED light therapy and how does it affect our eyes? LED light therapy is a skin treatment that penetrates the skin’s layers. It is non-invasive and is often used by dermatologists and estheticians. LED light therapy is the recommended treatment for certain skin problems.
When it comes to the eye, it is of paramount importance to use precaution. It is not advised to look directly at any source of light, LED light therapy devices included. When using LED and red light therapy, you need to have eye protection. The protective eyewear can be in the form of goggles and special glasses. If you are using an infrared source, be very careful not to get too close to it. Short-term effects of light therapy, including how it affects the eyes can be found here.
For reference, infrared light has a wavelength of more than 1500 nanometers. This wavelength doesn’t damage the retina but it can affect the lens and cornea. You must protect your eyes even if you think the risk is minor. Our eyes are the only organ that is more complex than the brain. For this reason, it is essential to make sure your eyes are protected from potentially harmful wavelengths. Find out how LED light therapy could damage your vision without goggles.
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How Is LED Light Therapy Used Today?
LED light therapy has been used to treat numerous conditions today. Many of these skin conditions are treated with prescribed creams and ointments. This type of therapy offers a different approach. To better understand how several conditions can be treated with light therapy, read here. Below is a list of conditions that can be effectively treated using LED light therapy:
- Hair loss
- Forms of acne
- Eczema
- Rough spots on the skin
- Psoriasis
- Wounds
- Sun damage
- Rosacea
- Hormone production
- Thyroid
- Collagen production
In addition to all of these benefits, LED light therapy has been used to treat certain cancers such as Basal Cell Carcinoma (BCC). This type of cancer occurs in over 3 million people in the US annually.
As mentioned above, the benefits of LED light therapy to people with various skin conditions are enormous. When it comes to the thyroid, many have wondered if red light therapy and LED therapy help. The answer is most likely yes. Various studies have concluded that red light therapy improves hormone production. Hormone production comes from our thyroid. Poor thyroid function occurs due to a negative feedback cycle. People with thyroid problems experience a decline in energy and without hormone production, the cycle continues to get worse. Balancing your hormones is key to feeling energized.
How Long Does It Take For Light Therapy To Work? Click the link to find out.
How Safe Is LED Light Therapy For Body Tissues Including Eyes?
Almost every study shows that LED light therapy is a safe and effective treatment. The indication from the FDA regarding its long-term safety supports this claim. Most people who use LED light therapy treatment experience the benefits. Only a small percentage of people experience side effects. Even if you experience side effects, they do not last long. When it comes to long-term side effects, improper use of infrared light can cause overheating of the tissue. This can cause skin damage. However, assuming the light therapy is used properly, there are little to no adverse effects. Click here to find out how infrared light is felt on our bodies. Is Red Light Therapy Bad For You? Click the link to read everything you need to know.
Certain tissues in our body are more sensitive and delicate than others. One of the most sensitive areas of our entire body is the cornea. It is full of sensory nerve fibers. The cornea is the clear front window of the eye that covers the iris. It is transparent in color. If you overheat this delicate tissue, you could be at risk of developing a cataract. That is why the correct use of LED light and eye protection are essential. Is It Safe To Use Red Light Therapy Every Day? Click here to learn more.
Conclusion
Our eyes are sensitive to any rises in temperature. LED light does not release much heat. On the other hand, infrared sources of light give off quite a bit of thermal energy. You should not look directly at a light source, especially without eye protection. As mentioned earlier, infrared sources of light are more intense. If you are using red light therapy via an infrared source, eye protection is mandatory. You can purchase FDA-approved goggles and eye shields to prevent harmful light from penetrating your eye’s tissue.
