- High energy wavelengths (blue and violet) activate the parasympathetic nervous system, which is responsible for resting behaviors
- UV light has been found to help decrease blood sugar level, destroy toxins, kill bacteria, and help stabilize cell function in blood
- Activation of the parasympathetic system allows for the contraction of pupils, decrease of tearing and intraocular pressure, and lowering pulse and blood pressure.
- Example: exophoria - a common issue in which an individual with brain trauma cannot control the location of their pupils (eyes drift on their own) after head trauma, which is primarily caused by activation of the sympathetic system. By activating the parasympathetic system, this effect can actually go away

Parasympathetic Phototherapy

- Low energy wavelengths (red, orange, and yellow) activate the sympathetic nervous system
- Activation of the sympathetic nervous system allows for the dilation of pupils, increased intraocular pressure, and decreased accommodation on lenses
- Can be used to reverse parasympathetic effects on brain trauma

Sympathetic Phototherapy

- Sympathetic Phototherapy
- Parasympathetic Phototherapy

University of Colorado at Boulder

- Phototherapy: the use of light to treat different conditions
- Syntonic phototherapy is specific light therapies that help treat visual impairments, particularly those involved with various neurological conditions (migraines, mood and learning disorders, ocular movement inability) 
- The eye is the only place where blood can interact with light, therefore, various light signals to blood in the eyes can help relax the blood vessels from the eye to various parts of the body (particularly the brain)
- Originated before World War II, but modern technologies have been helping develop this therapy a lot more
- Different colors help with different impairments (blue and violet stimulate the parasympathetic system, while red, orange, and yellow stimulate the sympathetic system), however, these are most effective when used in combination with other treatments

Syntonic phototherapy

Gottlieb, R. L., & Wallace, L. B. (2010). Syntonic phototherapy. Photomedicine and Laser Surgery, 28(4), 449–452. https://doi.org/10.1089/pho.2010.9933 

Syntonic phototherapy.

- A device used for syntonic phototherapy
- Patients look into the device for 20 minute intervals and are administered consistent beams of colored light (color depends on what they are attempting to treat)

Learn Before

Related

Learn After