Frequent exposure to the sun may often result in sun-burned eyes and repeated vulnerability can damage vision. A groundbreaking research from The Australian National University claims that a non-invasive method wherein near-infrared light (NIR) is shone into damaged eyes helps eye to heal itself. The employment of NIR in healing eyes stressed by bright light has apparently been approved for animals.
At present, researchers are working on introducing this red light in human patients. Also other devices will be developed to make the treatment more accessible, convenient and affordable for patient use. An enzyme seems to absorb the red light at a wavelength of 670 nanometres. This enzyme appears to be a hallmark in energy production of the cell. It presumably boosts the genes and processes required for producing energy and tackling activation of genes lethal to vision cells.
It was claimed that the NIR treatment can help to reverse as well as avoid sun damage. Dr. Krisztina Valter from ANU and a Chief Investigator in the ARC Centre of Excellence for Vision Science and colleagues predict that the treatment will be included as a supplement or as an alternative to surgical treatment.
The research was funded by the Australian Research Council as the ARC Centre of Excellence in Vision Science.
