Red Light Therapy for the Treatment of Retinal Diseases(1)

Red Light Therapy,also known as Photobiomodulation (PBM) or low level laser therapy(LLLT),has recently risen to the attention of the ophthalmology community as a promising new approach to treat a variety of retinal conditions including age-related macular degeneration,retinopathy of prematurity,diabetic retinopathy, Leber's hereditary optic neuropathy, amblyopia, methanol-induced retinal damage,and possibly others.This review evaluates the existing research pertaining to PBM applications in the retina, with a focus on the mechanisms of action and clinical outcomes. All available literature until April 2015 was reviewed using PubMed and the following keywords: “photobiomodulation AND retina”, “low level light therapy AND retina”, “low level laser therapy AND retina”, and “FR/NIR therapy AND retina”. In addition, the relevant references listed within the papers identified through PubMed were incorporated. The literature supports the conclusion that the low-cost and non-invasive nature of PBM, coupled with the first promising clinical reports and the numerous preclinical-studies in animal models, make PBM well-poised to become an important player in the treatment of a wide range of retinal disorders. Nevertheless, large-scale clinical trials will be necessary to establish the PBM therapeutic ranges for the various retinal diseases, as well as to gain a deeper understanding of its mechanisms of action.

The therapeutic qualities of red light had been known to mankind for centuries. In the current modern era, we refer to this practice as low level laser therapy, also known as photobiomodulation (PBM) and far-red to near-infrared (FR/NIR) light therapy. It consists of series of brief illumination with FR/NIR light (600-1000 nm) from a laser or a light emitting diode (LED). The long wavelengths allow for high tissue penetration and PBM therapy is currently applied to wound healing, reduction in neurologic pain, healing after peripheral nerve injury, stroke, and heart attacks. One of the most recent applications of PBM offers an innovative and non-invasive therapeutic approach to a host of challenging sight-threatening retinal conditions. Potential targets include age-related macular degeneration (AMD), retinopathy of prematurity (ROP), diabetic retinopathy, Leber's hereditary optic neuropathy, methanol-induced retinal damage, and possibly others. This review begins with a historical perspective on the role of PBM in medicine and its mechanisms. Later sections focus on the existing and future applications for the treatment of retinal diseases in both animal models and human subjects.

Excerpted from:https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4768515/