Non-invasive method to heal damaged vision developed

SYDNEY - People whose vision is badly damaged by over-exposure to bright light may be able to get their sight restored.

Australian researchers at the ARC Vision Centre are working on a non-invasive method that involves shining near-infrared light (NIR) into damaged eyes to invoke a natural process which encourages the eye to heal itself.

The use of NIR in healing eyes stressed by bright light has now been established, in animals, says Krisztina Valter, chief investigator in the ARC Centre of Excellence for Vision Science and Australian National University.

Now work has begun on the use of red light in human patients. Testing the effect of the light treatment is one aspect of this work, the other is to develop devices that are more accessible, more convenient and cheaper for patients to use.

Valter explains that red light at a wavelength of 670 nanometres is best as it is absorbed by an enzyme which is key to the energy production of the cell, according to a statement of the ARC Vision Centre.

It enhances the genes and processes needed to produce energy and fight against the activation of genes potentially lethal to vision cells, says Valter.

Valter explains that the idea of using 670 nanometre wavelength came from an observation made by astronauts in space shuttles.

Plants were grown in space shuttles to provide food for astronauts and were kept under NIR, as they grow best under this part of the light spectrum.”

“Astronauts tending to the plants observed that when minor wounds were exposed to the NIR light, they started to heal, when normally they wouldnt until they returned to Earth.

Light induced damage of our sight applies particularly to people whose workplace is out in the sun, such as construction workers, farmers, fishermen and sportspeople, says Valter.