Staring Into Deep Red Light Can Retain Vision, Study Finds

British researchers recently discovered that staring for three straight minutes each day into a "deep red light" can help maintain vision. Relatively, they found that long-wave impulses are stimulating the "mitochondria" found in the retina's cells.

The said study also indicated that staring into the red light for three minutes could someday turn into an "evening ritual" as if one is brushing his teeth.

Study leader and neuroscientist Glen Jeffery said, by doing so, one may also neutralize or stabilize "age-related loss of vision." Also, a professor, Jeffery, has now shown strong evidence for this finding. 

The researchers had their peer-reviewed findings late last month, in The Journals of Gerontology. To come up with such a result, the scientists conducted a human experiment for two weeks.

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Conducting the Study

The research involved 24 respondents aged 28 and 72 years old, all of them without any eye condition. The researchers initially examined the photoreceptors' sensitivity in the participants' retinas.

These comprise con and rod cells. Specifically, cone cells, the study described, "are responsible for color vision." On the other hand, Rod cells are vital for outer or external vision, as well as vision in the dark and at dusk.

To gauge the rod cells' performance, the volunteers whose pupils were dilated, needed to identify weak signals in the dark. 

Meanwhile, for the measurement of the cone cells' performance, they needed to identify colored letters that were progressively blurred and those with shallow contrast.

The researchers provided the participants specially devised small LED flashlights. Their task was, for three minutes, they should stare into the "deep red light beam" every day for two weeks.

Following the said activity, the scientists had the participants repeat their sensitivity tests for both the rods and cone cells.

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It Worked for People Aged Over 40 Years

The said research presented that only older participants gained benefit from the red-light treatment. The cone cells' performance improved, the study indicated, "By a good fifth in participants more than 40 years old."

No significant changes were measured among young respondents. Notably, the improvement was specifically evident in the participants' recognition of blue shade. This is the color range as well, in which vision typically weakens or depreciates most.

In any case, producing lamps is inexpensive. According to reports, each piece would cost scientists an equivalent of $15.

Experts say, basic research is needed and not therapy. This, they say, is precisely why cautioning is proper here, especially that the researchers also recognized retina as a highly-delicate organ. 

Therefore, if not properly handled and used, LED light, particularly laser light, can lead to a lasting impairment.

The research now published is a portion of basic research. Meaning, there are still no results on probable long-term impairment such treatment could cause. No medical approval, too, for such therapy has existed.

Therefore, experts also warn the public not to look into "self-made or improvised lamps under any conditions."

Furthermore, as one age, Jeffery said his visual system drops remarkably, specifically once he reaches the age of over 40. An individual who is older than 40 years, he said, has "retinal sensitivity and color vision," both gradually damaged.

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