Ocular Experts Caution Against the Use of Bright Light and Blue Light Therapy Lamps

Many experts link the development of Age-related Macular Degeneration (AMD) to the cumulative lifetime exposure to blue light wavelengths. Dr. S. Beatty, director of the Macular Pigment Pigment Research Group (MPRG) stated "It is photo-oxidative stress, or the cumulative exposure to free radicals from blue light over a lifetime that causes AMD". The European Eye (EUREYE) Study "found that the combination of blue light exposure and low plasma concentrations of antioxidants was also associated with the early stages of AMD, which are common in the population, and that blue light exposure in middle age might be more damaging than at younger ages." Studies have indicated that a moderate increase in lifetime exposure to blue light can advance the onset of this blinding disease by several years.

This has led a number of experts to caution against the use of bright and blue light therapy lamps. As Drs. L. Lack and H.Wright stated, "It should be noted that broad-spectrum white light, traditionally used for bright light therapy, also contains blue light of potential concern particularly for very high intensity, long- duration exposure. Clearly, the safety of bright light therapy for people needs investigating. In the meantime it would be suggested that light in the 500 to 530 nm wavelength range (blue-green) should still be effective while avoiding the putative blue hazard." in Clinical Management of Delayed Sleep Phase Disorder. Behavioral Sleep Medicine 2007, 5(1):57-76
More recently, Gagne et al concluded "The main finding of this experiment is that blue light reduces photoreceptor responses after only a single administration. This brings important concerns with regard to blue-enriched light therapy lamps used to treat SAD symptoms and other disorders." (Progress in Neuropsychopharmacological and Biological Psychiatry 2011; 35(1):227-31.)

The consequences of AMD for people who use light therapy can be severe. On the 25th anniversary of the development of light therapy, the journal Science reported on the first person to use bright light therapy, who described how light therapy became less and less effective for him over the years as his eyesight faded, and concluded "Now I can hardly see, and all hell has broken loose... I have had periods of depression lasting over a year".

It is now possible to demonstrate that cumulative blue light exposure is a stongly contributing factor in the development of AMD. Studies now confirm that blue light wavelengths, that is wavelengths shorter than 480 nm, provide no advantage over the use of much less hazardous longer wavelengths in light therapy. (Read more), Therefore the risk of causing severe impairment to vision from the use of light therapy lamps that emit short wavelength blue light appears to be unwarranted.
See More on Light Therapy Lamps and Retinal Damage

Sunnex Biotechnologies Lo-LIGHT therapy lamps are the safe alternative. The Lo-LIGHT provides light at intensity and brightness levels found in a normally well-lit office. In addition to filtering out hazardous ultraviolet(UV) light which can damage the lens or cornea and cause cataracts, the Lo-LIGHT also screens out the visible light wavelengths that are most hazardous to the retina. Those wavelengths are in the blue portion of the visible light spectrum with a wavelength shorter than 480 nm. Since blue wavelengths are also emitted by white light lamps normally used for indoor lighting, the Lo-LIGHT is less hazardous to use than being indoors in an artificially well lit room. It is the combination of low intensity and the filtering out of the more hazardous visible blue light wavelengths that eliminates the significant risk of eye damage inherent in the use of bright white light therapy lamps, light therapy lamps that primarily emit blue light, or the use of high intensity, bright (8,000 to 12,000 lux) green light. The soft green glow from a Lo-LIGHT lamp is both comfortable and safe.

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In North America, a no-risk rental program is available. If the unit is purchased within 2 months from the time of rental, all rental payments are applied towards the purchase price. Order Now!

The Sunnex Biotechnologies Lo-LIGHT phototherapy lamp comes with a five year warranty. Details