More good news on improving eye health with red and near infrared light. Increased blood flow, better cell regeneration and improved mitochondrial function are the key players listed here as well. Keep shining with light. It is amazing what the body can do at a cellular level with healthy wavelengths of light.
Mitochondrion. 2017 May 9. pii: S1567-7249(17)30127-7. doi: 10.1016/j.mito.2017.05.002. [Epub ahead of print]
Photostimulation of mitochondria as a treatment for retinal neurodegeneration.
Beirne K1, Rozanowska M2, Votruba M3.
Author information
Abstract
Absorption of photon energy by neuronal mitochondria leads to numerous downstream neuroprotective effects. Red and near infrared (NIR) light are associated with significantly less safety concerns than light of shorter wavelengths and they are therefore, the optimal choice for irradiating the retina. Potent neuroprotective effects have been demonstrated in various models of retinal damage, by red/NIR light, with limited data from human studies showing its ability to improve visual function. Improved neuronal mitochondrial function, increased blood flow to neural tissue, upregulation of cell survival mediators and restoration of normal microglial function have all been proposed as potential underlying mechanisms of red/NIR light.
Copyright © 2017. Published by Elsevier B.V.
KEYWORDS:
Low-level light therapy; Near infrared light; Neurodegeneration; Photobiomodulation; Photostimulation; Red light; Retina
PMID: 28499983 DOI: 10.1016/j.mito.2017.05.002