EYELIGHTS
Ocular light therapy is a method of therapeutically sending light through the eyes in order to stimulate brain function. Light through the eyes enables us to open up neurological pathways into specific brain structures, significantly affecting the brain and every cell of the body. Although we live on air, water, and food as nourishment, we are energy and light, and we are affected and nourished by light. Light is the second most important environmental input, after food, in controlling bodily functions. Studies have shown that application of light can affect the entire blood stream through circulation and elimination of toxins.
Research suggests that our nervous system, like our vascular system, may have two functions. It not only puts out and receives nerve impulses, but also may be a channel for the streaming of energy. Light ignites cellular metabolism. It enters the eye and goes to the body's power distribution center, the hypothalamus, where it is converted into electro-chemical impulses that are sent to important endocrine glands such as the pituitary and the pineal. These glands, in turn, distribute the hormonal messages via the body's nervous system to virtually every cell in the body.
How Do Eyelights Work?
Eyelights target the weaker functioning side of the brain via the non-dominant eye. Light stimulation directly to the non-dominant brain causes an excitatory barrage to travel to the mesencephalon, the most metabolic area of the brain, where an increase in cellular activity takes place. The excitatory barrage travels also to the parietal, temporal, and occipital lobes of the brain, while collateral fibers lead to the pineal gland, pituitary gland, and hypothalamus.
Both sides of the brain are being affected, but emphasis is placed on the non-dominant system where dysfunction usually first occurs. Stimulation of the non-dominant eye will affect the opposite hemisphere of the brain via the thalamus. When stimulating the right eye, the left side or analytical portion of the brain will be affected greater. When stimulating the left eye, the right side or creative portion of the brain will be affected greater.
Eyelights offer a choice of settings for either the right or left eye, but the NON-DOMINANT EYE ALWAYS GETS THE THERAPY. The lights flash in a monocular pattern with both the top and bottom rows flashing at the same time. However, one row will always flash brighter than the other. When the upper row of lights is flashing brighter, it will affect the temporal lobe (mentality/emotionality) of the brain and parvo cells of the thalamus greater. When the bottom row of lights is flashing brighter, it will affect the parietal lobe (sensory/motor) and magno cells of the thalamus greater.
Non-Dominant Eye
Upon fatigue, the non-dominant eye will lateralize. When you are looking straight ahead, the dominant eye looks right at you, while the weaker eye has broken its yoke and lateralizes to the side (looks at the doorknob). The brain is not able to look in two different directions and maintain proper input or thought processes. Since it is looking at two different objects, the brain will cortically suppress the input from the non-dominant eye, recognizing only the information from the dominant eye. When this occurs, the rods and cones (photosensitive cells located in the retina that convert light energy into signals) of the eye are not being brought up to threshold, and the "use it or lose it" cycle begins.
When suppression of the visual centers occurs there is also loss of motor output, resulting in muscle imbalance. Medial rectus eye muscles and multifidi muscles of the spine are in the same homologous column and, therefore, have the same constraints. On the side of medial rectus weakness you will see hypotonic (decreased tone) musculature, while on the dominant side you will see increased tone.
FAQ's
What is the length of time Eyelights should be worn by the standard patient?
Patients should begin wearing the Eyelights for 5 minutes 2-3 times a day. In about 5 days, they should increase to 10 minutes 2-3 times a day. They will gradually work their way up to the standard protocol of 15-20 minutes 2-3 times a day.
What is the length of time Eyelights should be worn by the neurologically impaired patient?
Begin with the patient lying down while wearing the Eyelights. As the lights begin to flash you will watch the patient's pupils while keeping count of the number of times the lights flash. The glasses are on a 10 second cycle where they flash for 2 seconds and rest for 8 seconds. Continue monitoring and counting until the pupils begin to dilate and blow open and then stop therapy. This will give you a basis for how long the patient is able to wear the glasses before becoming fatigued. So, if the pupils begin to dilate after 6 flashes, the patient would wear the glasses for only 5 flashes during each therapy session.
Is lens color important?
Yes. Color has an enormous impact on the brain and body, with each color providing different therapeutic benefits.
How do I determine which lens color would benefit my patient?
You may use simple muscle testing to determine which color your patient needs. Each individual lens should be placed over the eyes or on the body while you are performing a muscle test. One color will test stronger than the others and this is the color your patient should wear. For those doctors or practitioners who do not perform muscle testing, we provide a description of each colored lens and its benefits. A color would be chosen based on your patient's symptoms.
Are there any contraindications when using Eyelights?
If Eyelights are worn too long in the beginning stages of treatment your patient may suffer a slight headache or eye fatigue. This is indicative of brain fatigue, so your patient should reduce the amount of time Eyelights are being worn during each session.
Why do Eyelights use red LED's?
Based on the sign waves of color, red provides the lowest amount of input to the brain, allowing for longer periods of stimulation before the brain fatigues.
Why do Eyelights flash for 2 seconds and rest for 8 seconds?
Eyelights provide a quick burst of light followed by a long rest period so as not to fatigue the brain too quickly. Whereas a strobe light provides a continuous flash of light, causing the brain to constantly work to process the input, resulting in a quicker break down.
PROTOCOL
Alzheimer's Disease
Eyelights therapy can excite nerve cells, minimizing further degeneration, and potentially slow down the progression of the disease. Light therapy can also cause the brain to produce higher levels of neurotransmitters, improving function within the temporal lobe (memory/mental state).
Recommendations: Red component, Violet lens, Top row brighter
Dyslexia
Eyelights therapy stimulates the entire thalamus so that all 12 layers are functioning at their optimal level. When 100% of the thalamus is excited, magno cell function will improve. It has been found that 87% of reading disabled children showed an improvement in comprehension while reading with blue filters. It is thought that a blue filter removes enough of the red in what a person sees thus allowing the magno cells to work properly. [2]
Recommendations: Red or black component, Blue or Yellow lens, Bottom row brighter
ADHD
Many symptoms of ADHD are similar to those associated with binocular vision problems, such as convergence insufficiency and accommodative problems. Eyelights therapy can help to strengthen the weaker eye muscle by stimulating the visual system. Light therapy creates global excitation of the brain, causing an elevation in the production of hormones and neurotransmitters such as serotonin and dopamine.
Studies have shown that color can also have a profound effect on behavioral and learning problems. Certain colors can reduce hyperactivity, increase attention span, and improve speed and accuracy. Behavioral problems within the classroom have been linked to the fact that fluorescent lighting in classrooms is lacking the blue spectrum of color.
Recommendations: Red component, Blue lens, Top row brighter
Autism
By stimulating the non-dominant eye you can excite the entire thalamus, resulting in global excitation of the brain. A cascade of excitation and activity occurs and eventually reaches each of our other senses, resulting in a better ability to coordinate sensory information.
Recommendations: Red component, Clear lens, Top row brighter The clear lens is the best lens to use in the early stages of treatment so as not to overwhelm the system with both light and color.
Stroke
Eyelights therapy initiates cellular activity, causing cells to produce new proteins in order to stay healthy. Since visual pathways are extensive throughout the brain, using light therapy to excite the cells around the area of stroke can be an effective rehabilitative tool. Eyelights therapy can minimize further degradation of tissues around the affected area. The excitation of cells can enhance the comeback and maturation of the damaged area to help improve mental, physical, and cognitive losses.
Recommendations: Black component, Yellow lens, Bottom row brighter
Multiple Sclerosis
Light therapy can help sustain myelination by exciting the cerebellum, and in turn, exciting cells into producing proteins in order to stay healthy. This stimulation also helps to stabilize muscles of the spine, allowing for better integrity of mid-line structures.
Recommendations: Black component, Yellow lens, Bottom row brighter
Tourette Syndrome
Eyelights therapy can calm down outburst activity occurring within the cortical layers of the brain. Light therapy can be used to enhance serotonin production, allowing for a readjustment in dopamine levels.
Recommendations: Black component, Blue or Violet lens, Top row brighter
Scoliosis
The brain influences spinal structures. Medial rectus eye muscles and multifidi muscles of the spine are under the same neurological relationships and have the same constraints. So, by stimulating the non-dominant eye, the multifidi also become stimulated and tone changes will occur.
Recommendations: Black component, Yellow lens, Bottom row brighter
The above statements and research provided are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent disease and should not be used as a substitute for sound medical advice. Please see your health care professional in all matters pertaining to your physical health.