Good eye health and clear vision are vital contributors to a person’s health and overall quality of life. Eye health is defined as maximised vision, ocular health and functional ability, contributing to overall health and wellbeing, social inclusion and quality of life (Lancet Global Health 2021, p 489).
A recent study by the University College London has found there is a significant benefit to eye health for those over 40 who look at a deep red light with a wavelength of 670 nanometers (nm) for just three minutes a day. The study found that using specific wavelengths for brief exposures enhanced the ability for over 40s to detect colours by up to 20%, particularly within the blue spectrum, which is the most susceptible to age-related decline (Lavars, N. New Atlas).
Looking at the red light also produced a significant improvement in the performance of the retina for those over 40. The retina is a crucial element of the eye that processes pictures from focused light, sending the information to the brain through the optic nerve. Unfortunately, the retina ages faster than other organs, and there is a significant decline in photoreceptor function through the retina with age (Shinhmar, H. The Journals of Gerontology, p49). This study provides clear evidence for improved aging visual function through red light therapy and is a fantastic result for those of us over 40.
This brings us to a key question for infrared sauna users – particularly those approaching or over 40yo - can your infrared sauna positively impact your eye health?
Unfortunately, infrared saunas can’t be used for red light eye therapy. Infrared saunas primarily use far infrared wavelengths ranging from 700nm-1400nm through heat lamps, while red light therapy use wavelengths ranging from 600-650nm and through cold LED or laser (Tsai S-R, 2017). There is a key difference between the two, with red light therapy using light to make a positive change to your body and infrared saunas using heat.
While both red light therapy and infrared saunas deliver therapeutic benefits, it is important not to mix their purposes. It must be noted that staring directly into infrared sauna’s red heaters for an extended period in the way the red light therapy was described, would not be safe for your eyes (Schroeder P et al. 2008). Instead, appropriate use of both infrared saunas and approved red light therapy could have you in fantastic health, particularly as you move beyond 40 years old.
REFERENCES
Burton, Matthew et al. The Lancet Global Health Commission on Global Eye Health: Vision beyond 2020, Lancet Global Health 2021; 9: e489–551 Published Online February 16, 2021
Lavars, Nick, Deep red light reboots aging retinas like "recharging a battery", New Atlas, 29 June 2020, https://newatlas.com/medical/deep-red-light-aging-retinas/?itm_source=newatlas&itm_medium=article-body
Schroeder P et al. 2008. The role of near infrared radiation in photoaging of the skin. Exp Geron. 43(7):629-632.
Shinhmar, Harpreet et al, Optically Improved Mitochondrial Function Redeems Aged Human Visual Decline, The Journals of Gerontology: Series A, Volume 75, Issue 9, September 2020, Pages e49–e52
Tsai S-R, Hamblin MR. 2017. Biological effects and medical applications of infrared radiation. J Photochem Photobio; B: Biology. 170:197-207.