Optometric Phototherapy and Colorimetry

Interest in the effect of light on the body intensified earlier this century. Most of the current therapeutic techniques used in syntonics are based on the work done by Dr. Harry Riley Spitler in the 1920's and 1930's. Dr. Spitler, who had both optometric and medical degrees, began researching and using phototherapy in 1909,Spitler, the author of "The Syntonic Principle", conceived the principles for a new science that he called "Syntonics". Syntonics, from the word syntony (to bring into balance), refers physiologically to a balanced, integrated nervous system.

Certain biochemical conditions in the brain need to be present before effective cortical plasticity and new functions can occur. Neurotransmitters trigger this biochemistry and allow for additional synoptic connections to initiate movement and growth in new directions. Coloured light therapy can act as a powerful tool to stimulate the biochemistry of the brain through the visual system by way of the retinal-hypothalmus brain connection.

Although there is research in the field of syntonics, there are no peer reviewed papers at this stage. We find that it assists with vision therapy programs (for which there are several papers available on the acbo.org.au website) and on google information can be found about successful treatments with syntonics.

Syntonics assists in balancing sympathetic and parasympathetic systems by changing wavelengths of light through the eye. 40% of our blood flow goes through the retina and choroid every 20 minutes, hence sessions are best 20 minutes.