The colorful light that helps you feel better! Magic for your eyes and your mood?

Optometric phototherapy , also known as syntonic therapy or color light therapy, is a highly interesting branch of optometry based on the use of specific light frequencies through the eyes to balance the autonomic nervous system and treat vision problems.

The word "syntonic" comes from "sintonía" (tuning), and that's precisely what this therapy seeks: to integrate and balance the functioning of your nervous system! There are two main parts of our nervous system: the sympathetic (which activates us and prepares us for action) and the parasympathetic (which relaxes us and helps us rest). Photostimulation helps these two systems work in harmony, establishing true harmony between them.

And this isn't something new. Phototherapy has been used successfully in the world of optometry for over 70 years in the United States. Studies conducted by doctors like Robert M. Kaplan and Jacob Liberman show that this treatment can improve everything from visual skills and peripheral vision to your memory.

How does it work?

The devices used in photostimulation have special filters with a specific wavelength . This produces light of a specific color! Each color has its own "vibration" and can have different effects on our nervous system!

Before starting any light therapy treatment, a full evaluation is essential. This includes discussing your visual symptoms, a detailed eye exam (like the one you'd receive during a regular checkup, but more in-depth), and a thorough assessment of how your eyes react to light, including testing your visual field of perception (everything you see around you), how you perceive movement, and how you respond to different colors. It's like a complete "diagnosis" of how your visual system processes light!

Strabismus and phototherapy: an unexpected help?

Remember when we talked about strabismus, the condition where the eyes don't look in the same direction? Well, although light therapy isn't a direct treatment for eye alignment, in some cases it can be an interesting complementary therapy! It helps balance the nervous system and improve overall visual function, facilitating communication between the eyes and the brain. However, it's important to emphasize that treating strabismus often requires a more targeted approach with vision therapy, or in some cases, surgery.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) about Phototherapy (Optometric Chromatic Therapy)

1. What is optometric or syntonic phototherapy? It's a branch of optometry that uses different colored lights applied through the visual system to produce therapeutic effects, seeking to balance the nervous system.
2. How can colored light affect our bodies? It's believed that different wavelengths of light (which we perceive as colors) can stimulate different neural pathways and affect the balance of the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems.
3. What benefits have been associated with light therapy? Studies suggest it can improve visual skills, peripheral vision, memory, and overall performance.
4. How is phototherapy applied? Special devices are used to emit light of specific colors through filters with specific wavelengths, which the patient stares at for a specific amount of time.
5. What type of evaluation is performed before starting phototherapy? A visual symptom assessment is performed, along with a complete optometric examination that includes light sensitivity, visual perception field testing, motion perception, and color response.
6. How long do phototherapy sessions typically last? Session lengths may vary depending on the patient's needs and the protocol used by the therapist.
7. Is color phototherapy a treatment for vision problems such as myopia or astigmatism? While it can improve some visual abilities, it is not a direct treatment for correcting refractive errors such as myopia or astigmatism, which typically require glasses or contact lenses.
8. Can light therapy help with strabismus (crossed eyes)? Although it's not a primary treatment for strabismus, by balancing the nervous system and improving overall visual function, it could be a complementary therapy in some cases, seeking to facilitate communication between the eyes and the brain.
9. Does light therapy have side effects? It's generally considered a safe therapy, but some people may experience mild visual discomfort or temporary changes in perception during or after sessions.
10. Where can I access optometric phototherapy? Syntonic phototherapy is offered by some optometrists who specialize in this technique. It's important to look for professionals with the appropriate training and experience.