Dr. Abigail Hartle explores the opportunity with red light opportunity for optometry. Photo Credit: Dr. Hartle.
What you need to know about red light therapy and its benefits for the aging eye
By Abigail Hartle, OD, ABO
July 13, 2026
Once a niche wellness trend, red light therapy is now a mainstream anti-aging solution, with countless companies actively marketing therapeutic masks, panels and at-home devices directly to consumers. As a medical optometrist to a mostly 40+ patient base and wellness enthusiast myself, I get excited about new technology. This spurred my own research into red light and the eye to see if it would be beneficial for not only my future self but also my patients. It has given me the confidence and clinical knowledge to recommend red light therapy and answer patient questions.
HOW RED LIGHT THERAPY WORKS AND BENEFITS AGING EYES
In order to understand red light therapy, we have to first review the basics of wavelengths and photobiomodulation.
The visible light spectrum ranges from roughly 400-700um. Short wavelengths from ultraviolet and blue light at one end of the spectrum are harmful to our skin and eyes whereas longer wavelength light can be healing and anti-inflammatory.
In red light therapy, we are dealing with wavelengths that range from 600-1100um in the visible red to nonvisible infrared spectrum. Long wavelength light can penetrate past the skin’s outermost epidermis layer and into the dermis, with deeper penetration the longer the wavelength. When light reaches the dermis, certain cells called chromophores absorb light in a process called photobiomodulation that will in turn boost mitochondrial function and generate ATP.
As we age our mitochondria are not as efficient as they once were, leading to decreased energy and ATP production. Thus, photobiomodulation helps to restore energy production with downstream benefits of boosting antioxidant defense and reducing inflammation.1,2 When applied to the eye specifically, red light can help treat many common ocular concerns and conditions.
ANTI-AGING AND AESTHETICS
The periorbital skin is some of the thinnest skin in the body and continues to thin with age. Wrinkles and fine lines start to appear around the eyes first due to the delicate nature of the skin. Red light therapy has been shown to stimulate fibroblasts within the dermis to produce collagen. Increased collagen density to this area will help to reduce fine lines and depth of crows feet by ~15%. Other anti-aging benefits include a decrease in pore size by ~30% and improved facial tone and texture.3 Red light therapy has been shown to lighten age spots, minimize redness and scars and help to decrease puffiness to the eyelids.1,4 So next time patients ask for tips to reduce undereye bags or discuss appearance, venture into red light as a potential treatment.
DRY EYE
Red light therapy has been shown to penetrate into the meibomian glands to help stimulate oil production which has been proven to stabilize the tear film and increase tear break up time. It also helps to decrease inflammation in the glands and can even reduce the size of chalazia by 92%.5 Overall red light will help promote ocular surface homeostasis. When studied, it improved overall patient comfort and ocular surface disease index scores.1
ROSACEA
At its root cause, rosacea is an inflammatory condition of the skin and can occur in the ocular region resulting in lid redness as well as ocular discomfort in the form of blepharitis and dry eye. I have a lot of patients who develop rosacea with age and express concern about redness to their lids and cheeks. For these patients, I often discuss red light therapy and the anti-inflammatory effects to calm redness, repair damaged skin cells and capillaries and improve overall circulation.6
AGE-RELATED MACULAR DEGENERATION
The retina is one of the most metabolically active tissues in the body, as photoreceptors require more oxygen than any other part of the body per gram of tissue. Because of the high energy demand, the photoreceptors are susceptible to oxidative stress and when chronic, can trigger inflammation.
Normal age related loss of mitochondrial energy coupled with susceptibility to oxidative stress can lead to macular degeneration. Photobiomodulation will help to activate mitochondria via the cytochrome C oxidase enzyme in the photoreceptors to modulate the production of nitric oxide and reactive oxygen species which will have secondary effects that improve cellular health. In macular degeneration, this can help to slow progression and reduce development of geographic atrophy.1
The ValedaTM light delivery system is an FDA authorized treatment for macular degeneration. In studies, it shows promising data that inhibits inflammatory medicators and decreases drusen deposition while protecting vision and contrast sensitivity. This emerging therapy is offering an additional avenue of treatment for all stages of dry macular degeneration besides lifestyle and nutraceuticals.2,7 Treatment consists of nine sessions, approximately 10 minutes three times a week for 3-5 weeks. Usually one treatment round is done but can be repeated over time. Due to the infancy of this treatment, there is no insurance coverage with the Valeda light delivery system making it an out of pocket expense for patients at this time. Cost of treatment is variable based on location but roughly ranges from $900-$2,500.
MY EXPERIENCE
I use a red light mask daily and recommend it to my patients who ask about ocular aesthetics, dry eye and rosacea concerns. We discuss the many red light options available at a range of price points. Patients can consider purchasing a red light mask, panel or box for daily at home use.
Additionally, many optometry offices use low-level laser therapy (LLLT) devices for red light therapy. Med spas are also tapping into the red light market and offer an alternative for patients who want to trial it without investing in the device themselves with individual sessions or packages. This represents an opportunity and demand for optometry.
Research is still being done on applications in ocular health and initial studies show promising results but lack long-term data. Red light is a very safe treatment for all skin types but it is important to be mindful of systemic or topical drugs that could have adverse reactions with light exposure or patients with light activated neurological disorders. It is best practice to recommend devices that have FDA approval or certification and follow instructions regarding usage.
Overall, red light therapy is proving to be a safe, effective and well-tolerated treatment for patients.
References
1. Zhu Q, Xiao S, Hua Z, Yang D. Near infrared (NIR) light therapy of eye diseases: A review. Int J Med Sci. 2021 Jan 1;18(1):109–119. doi: 10.7150/ijms.52980
2. Valter K, Tedford S, Eells J, Tedford C. Photobiomodulation use in ophthalmology – an overview of translational research from bench to bedside. Frontiers in Ophthalmology. 2024 Aug 14;4. doi: 10.3389/fopht.2024.138860.
3. Couturaud V, Le Fur M, Pelletier M, Granotier F. Reverse skin aging signs by red light photobiomodulation. Skin Res Technol. 2023 Jul;29(7):e13391. doi: 10.1111/srt.13391.
4. Wang JY, Kabakova M, Patel P, Bitterman D, et al. Outstanding user reported satisfaction for light emitting diodes under-eye rejuvenation. Arch Dermatol Res. 2024 Aug 12;316(8):511. doi: 10.1007/s00403-024-03254-z.
5. Stonecipher K, Potvin R. Low level light therapy for the treatment of recalcitrant chalazia: a sample case summary. Clin Ophthalmol. 2019 Sep 5;13:1727-1733. Doi: 10.2147/OPTH.S225506.
6. Mohamed-Noriega K, Loya-Garcia D, Vera-Duarte GR, Morales-Wong F, et al. Ocular rosacea: An updated review. Cornea. 2025 Apr 1;44(4):525-537. doi: 10.1097/ICO.0000000000003785.
7. Kaymak H. Schwahn H. Photobiomodulation as a treatment in dry AMD. Retina Today. 2020 May/June: 23-25. https://retinatoday.com/articles/2020-may-june/photobiomodulation-as-a-treatment-in-dry-amd.
Read more from The Aging Eye here.
Read more on dry eye & aesthetics here.
Read how to integrate photobiomodulation into a modern optometric workflow here.
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Abigail Hartle, OD, ABO, is a speaker and medical optometrist at an ophthalmology group in mid-Michigan called Specialty Eye Institute. To contact her: ahartle@midwestvision.com. |
