Red Light Treatment

[spectacles49]

In addition to Glaucoma, for which I have received laser surgery and an iStent implant, I have Age-related Dry Macular Degeneration (slight) and have had my Cataracts replaced. I also have moderate Dry Eye, for which I take moisturising eye drops. I have read about Red Light Treatment to lessen age-related degeneration of the retina. This treatment has been approved as safe and beneficial by the Ophthalmology Department of University College London and also by the Moorfields Eye Hospital. I am considering Red Light treatment to slow the progression of my Age-related Macular Degeneration. My question is: would this be safe for someone like myself, given my diagnoses and the treatments I have received for my other eye conditions? The literature is not clear about this.

[KieranGlaucomaUK Administrator]

Hi there. I agree that the literature is unclear. It seems that there has not been any large studies on this, but at this stage it seems like it is more of a theory than a treatment. There have been some studies on the effectiveness of red light therapy on other health conditions, which seems to show promising results. The research is not quite there for its treatment in eye conditions, like macular degeneration. My best advice would be to ask your consultant whether you would be safe to try this or not, given that you have glaucoma as well.

[spectacles49 in reply to KieranGlaucomaUK]

Thanks for this, I will ask my consultant. According to UCL, there has been one well-conducted study in the US which demonstrated a benefit from red light treatment, but the UCL studies have not so far shown this. Possibly due to the different studies using red light treatment at different stages in the progression of their patients' eye conditions. Thanks again.

[countrygirl1]

Hello, I recently discussed red light therapy with my consultant and she had no problem with it and was interested in finding out more. I have open angle Glaucoma and early Macular Degeneration. I use a red light of the same specification (670 nm) as the University College study.

I have had cataracts removed, and unsuccessful laser treatment. I am currently on Monopost and Dorzolamide drops.

I hope the red light will help my vision. The main benefit I have noticed so far is that my dry eyes have improved a lot and I hardly ever have to use my prescribed drops for that. Last June my optician told me I had blepharitis/ dry eye. In February my consultant said my eyes were not dry and in good condition.

I hope this information is helpful.

Best Wishes

[spectacles49 in reply to countrygirl1]

This is very helpful, thank you. It's great to learn that you've had some benefit already! UCL said that the two red light devices they tested were safe, so I bought one of them. However, in the device's instruction leaflet it said that if the purchaser has pre-existing eye conditions, they should check with their doctor before using. This confused me. Thanks again for your help.

[Menla]

Could you please leave a link to the study and what light device you purchased? Thank you!