Age related macular degeneration and near infrared light. This review states that shining the right light on the body or photobiomodulation “has been applied clinically in the treatment of soft tissue injuries and acceleration of wound healing for more than 40 years.” How does it work? The light energy increases energy production and protective factors in the cell and improves cell replication and growth. Here the researchers take a look at near infrared light and it’s ability to help the body heal from macular degeneration. Their findings in mice?
the infrared light “attenuates photoreceptor cell death, protects retinal function and exerts anti-inflammatory actions.” At the International Light Conference we learned of successful human trials with this concept when the disease is in early stages. Exciting to see progress on a disease expected to impact the majority of Americans as we age. Don’t wait to shine with harmonic light.
Adv Exp Med Biol. 2016;854:437-41. doi: 10.1007/978-3-319-17121-0_58.
Near-Infrared Photobiomodulation in Retinal Injury and Disease.
Eells JT1, Gopalakrishnan S2, Valter K3.
Author information
Abstract
Evidence is growing that exposure of tissue to low energy photon irradiation in the far-red (FR) to near-infrared (NIR) range of the spectrum, collectively termed “photobiomodulation” (PBM) can restore the function of damaged mitochondria, upregulate the production of cytoprotective factors and prevent apoptotic cell death. PBM has been applied clinically in the treatment of soft tissue injuries and acceleration of wound healing for more than 40 years. Recent studies have demonstrated that FR/NIR photons penetrate diseased tissues including the retina. The therapeutic effects of PBM have been hypothesized to result from intracellular signaling pathways triggered when FR/NIR photons are absorbed by the mitochondrial photoacceptor molecule, cytochrome c oxidase, culminating in improved mitochondrial energy metabolism, increased cytoprotective factor production and cell survival. Investigations in rodent models of methanol-induced ocular toxicity, light damage, retinitis pigmentosa and age-related macular degeneration have demonstrated the PBM attenuates photoreceptor cell death, protects retinal function and exerts anti-inflammatory actions.
KEYWORDS:
Light damage (LD); Macular degeneration; Methanol intoxication; Photobiomodulation (PBM); Retinitis pigmentosa
PMID: 26427443 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-319-17121-0_58