Red Light Therapy for Eye Problems

EYECHARGER- bought the original model mail order from Australia years ago when they were selling the original model. It failed to be a clinical device for AMD due to regulatory reasons. Dr Jeffrey PhD now of Univ of London ( he formerly was in Australia and marketed it there) ) was interviewed by the AMD Brighthouse Foundation. Dr Jeffery's study found that in persons aged ~34 to 70 who did not have known ocular disease, a single 3-minute exposure to 670 nm (deep red) light in the morning (8-9 am) led to improved colour contrast sensitivity (vision of cones) by ~17% on average. 
• The improvement lasted up to a week in some participants for colour contrast. 
• The effect was timing-dependent: the same light exposure in the afternoon did not produce measurable improvement. The authors suggest mitochondrial “workload shifts” during the day may underlie this. 
• The mechanism proposed: photoreceptors (especially cones) have high mitochondrial density and energy demand; with aging, mitochondrial ATP production declines, impairing photoreceptor function. The deep red light is thought to “kick-start” mitochondrial energy production (via e.g., increased ATP synthesis, reduced mitochondrial viscosity, etc.).
Now the 6000 dollar in office red light treatment is different with stronger and different wavelengths.
I use my device daily. Most AMD sufferers don't believe in "home cures", the gut eye axis in AMD , supplements for AMD specifically shown in the research journal studies, exercise for retina health- but I do. Retina doctors don't study preventive measures and only offer AREDS2 and just say eat kale etc. There are so many factors that come together to make the perfect storm that becomes early AMD. It takes a multifactorial approach to attempt to keep it from progressing. I hope to hang in there with my intermediate dry stage until better solutions are found to manage it.
I believe in longevity devices and supplements because what other hope do we have!

If it would help my epiretinal membrane, I would try it.

Mike, your experience with red light therapy is very interesting! Thank you for sharing. Makes me wonder if it could possibly be helpful for some of the more serious eye diseases like glaucoma? Think I will do some research. 😊

Here's Jeffery's research article - And summary below The red light therapy only works on the retina behind the eye not on the cornea in front (cataracts) or on glaucoma. If Mike's red light application helped his cataracts that was just a one off. There is a research article showing a dramatic AMD improvement( just another one off ) that cant be explained with 4000 mg of the supplement taurine. See article below. Part of my supplement stack.
This Jeffrey photo research article:
Aging retinas suffer from mitochondrial decline, and 670 nm near-infrared light can partially restore mitochondrial function and improve retinal performance.
It is considered one of the foundational papers that sparked interest in photobiomodulation for AMD.

From Research ChatGPT 5.1:
Here is the safest, evidence-aligned, low-risk way to use near-infrared/red light for retinal support, based directly on Glen Jeffery’s protocols, UK safety guidance, and ophthalmology practice.

⭐ 1) Use ONLY Low-Intensity LED Light (Never Lasers)

Safe:
• LED red light (630–670 nm)
• LED near-infrared (810–850 nm)

Avoid:
• Any laser device
• Pulsed high-intensity light
• Anything marketed as “medical grade laser”

LED is safe because it cannot focus energy to damage the retina.

My Eye Charger is LED-based — so it’s in the safe category.
Check to see Amazon eyecharger product is this model too.
⸻

⭐ 2) Optimal wavelength

The safest + most effective wavelength from ALL published evidence:

✔️ 670 nm red

This is Jeffery’s gold standard.

Good but not essential:
• 630–660 nm red (common in devices)
• 810–850 nm NIR (typical near-infrared band used for mitochondria)

Your Eye Charger likely uses 630 + 850 nm, which is safe and partially effective.

⸻

⭐ 3) Brightness/Powder Output (Very Important)

Jeffery’s retinal protocol uses extremely low power:

✔️ < 5 mW/cm² (very gentle)

Most consumer LED devices fall below this — that’s good.

Avoid anything:
• blindingly bright
• hot to the touch
• using “laser diodes”

LED home devices are typically weak and diffuse → safer.

⸻

⭐ 4) Distance From the Eye

Jeffery’s safe procedure:

✔️ Hold 3–6 inches away

Do NOT press the LEDs right on the eyelid.

Why?
• Minimizes heat
• Prevents accidental retinal overstimulation
• Ensures proper optical spread

If your Eye Charger has built-in padding that keeps it slightly away from the eye, that’s fine — but do not push it tightly against the eye socket.

⸻

⭐ 5) Duration

Jeffery’s research and clinical trials use:

✔️ 3 minutes per eye

✔️ Once daily or every other day

More is not better.

Do not exceed 5 minutes per session.

Your device’s timer (often 3–5 minutes) is within the safety zone.

⸻

⭐ 6) Best Time of Day — Very Important

Human mitochondrial responsiveness to NIR is circadian.

Jeffery’s 2020 human study found:

✔️ Morning use = maximum effect

❌ Evening use = very little effect

❌ Night use = sometimes counterproductive

Your optimum window:
• 6:30 am – 11:30 am

This matches normal circadian mitochondrial cycles.

⸻

⭐ 7) Positioning

Safest approach:
1. Sit comfortably.
2. Close eyes gently (do not squeeze).
3. Shine the light toward the eyes from 3–6 inches.
4. Do not look directly at bright LEDs with open eyes.
5. Let the light diffuse through the lids.

LED light safely penetrates through closed lids — this is how Jeffery delivered it.

⸻

⭐ 8) Frequency

Safe, conservative frequency:

✔️ 3–4 times per week

(or daily if weak intensity)

For AMD, consistency is more important than strength.

⸻

⭐ 9) Absolutely Avoid If You Have:

None apply to you, but for completeness:
• active wet AMD bleeding episode
• active uveitis
• recent intraocular injections (within 48 hrs)
• intraocular surgery in the past 2 weeks
• photosensitizing medication

⸻

⭐ Final Summary (Your Safe Protocol)

Morning only
3 minutes per eye
LED only
3–6 inches distance
Eyes gently closed
3–4 days per week
Avoid lasers, heat, or high intensity

This matches all major PBM safety guidance AND all of Jeffery’s protocols.