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Home » Optometric phototherapy (syntonic phototherapy)

Optometric phototherapy (syntonic phototherapy)

Optometric phototherapy, also known as syntonic phototherapy, is a process using viewing of coloured light as part of treatment of certain vision problems. It may be used as an initial component of prescribed vision therapy to aid in improving visual function. The theory and practice of optometric phototherapy has been evolving for decades, and the absolute scientific evidence for the use of optometric phototherapy is still developing with current research.

ACBO supports suitably experienced optometrists in offering treatment including optometric phototherapy (syntonic phototherapy) for indicated conditions after comprehensive assessment, following an appropriate verbal and written informed consent process with the patient and/or patient’s family.

Conditions treated

Optometric phototherapy may be used as a component of prescribed vision therapy in treatment of:
  1. Convergence insufficiency
  2. Convergence excess
  3. Blurred vision due to diagnosed visual conditions
  4. Visually related headache
  5. Amblyopia
  6. Oculomotor dysfunction
  7. Post concussion symptoms
Possible, usually temporary effects

As you are learning new and improved ways to use your eyes, and changing old visual habits, you may experience temporary symptoms during vision therapy. This 2 is not uncommon, and if it does happen it usually only lasts for a short time, and should not cause any long - lasting effects. These temporary symptoms could include eye strain, blurred vision, tired or dry eyes, irritated or watery eyes, or fatigue of your eyes, or tiredness in general.

Symptoms can happen more easily if you have a history of any of the following conditions: head injury or concussion; vertigo; vestibular or balance disorder; or headache disorder. If you experience significant headaches, nausea or dizziness please stop your activity and immediately advise your vision therapist or optometrist.
Informed consent to treatment with optometric phototherapy as part of prescribed vision therapy

Informed consent is a person’s voluntary decision about health care that is made with knowledge and understanding of the benefits and risks involved. A resource of scientific evidence regarding optometric phototherapy as part of vision therapy is available to you.
Please read and sign and date this consent, a copy will be provided for your own records.

I have read this document, and have received verbal and written information regarding the:
  1. reasons for, and expected benefits of, prescribed vision therapy including optometric phototherapy,
  2. practical issues of vision therapy involving optometric phototherapy
  3. details of the possibility of side effects, which are usually transient.

I have had the opportunity to ask questions and have received answers, as well as being provided with the opportunity to see a list of scientific references relating to my proposed treatment involving vision therapy incorporating optometric phototherapy. I have been given sufficient time to make a decision giving consent for the care to proceed. I understand the risks as indicated above, and understand that there is no absolute guarantee or assurance of a specific treatment outcome.
Client’s name (print)
Parent’s name (if applicable)
MM slash DD slash YYYY

References concerning optometric phototherapy (syntonic phototherapy)

Applying lasers to accommodative disorders.Avetinsov ESet.al., Moscow Helmholtz Res Inst of Eye Dis. Laser Physics 1995; 5(4):917-921.

The principles of Light and Color: Babbitt, Edwin: The Healing Power of Color 1878

Light Years Ahead.. Breiling B, & Hartley L(Editors), Berkeley: Celestial Arts, 1996.

Extraocular circadian phototransduction. in humans. Campbell ss & Murphy PJ. Science 1998; 279:396-399.

Biophotons.; Norwell, MA, Chang J, Fisch J. & Popp FA(Editors),: Kluwer Academic Publishers; 1998

Restrictions of the visual fields as handicaps to learning. Eames TH.Jrnl of Edu 1936; 2.

Syntonic Phototherapy. Gottlieb R, Wallace L.J. Behavioral Optometry 2001; 12(2):31-38.

The Influence of Ocular Light Perception on Metabolism in Man and in Animal. Hollwich, F.,Springer-Verlag: Ny, 1979.

Syntonics as reading enhancement techniques at the Livingston Developmental AcademyIngersoll S.(presented at 66th Annual Conference Light and Vision, Vancouver, CN, 1998). Journal of Optometric Phototherapy 1999.

Changes in form visual fields in reading disabled children produced by syntonic stimulation.Kaplan R.International Journal of Biosocial Research 1983; 5(1):20- 33.

Mechanisms of low-power laser light action on cellular level.Karu TI.In Zimunovic Z., ed. Lasers in Medicine and Dentistry. Rijeka: Vitgraph, 2000:97- 125.

The photobiology of low-power laser therapy. Karu TI.Chur, London, Paris, New York: Harwood Academic Pub, 1989.

The Science of Low Power Laser Therapy.Karu TI.London: Gordon and Breach Sci. Publ., 1998.

The effects of syntonic colored light stimulation on certain visual and cognitive functions.Liberman J.Journal of Optometric Vision Development 1986; 17(June).

Light Medicine of the Future,Liberman, JSanta Fe NM: Bear and Co., 1991

“Optical Phase Conjugation” —Valadimir V. Shkunov and Boris Ya.Zel’dovich S, Sci. American, Dec, 1985 pp. 54-59

Applications of Optical Phase Conjugation” David M Pepper Sci American January 1986, pp. 74-83

An investigation of ophthalmic function in winter seasonal affective disorder. Oren DA.Depression 1993; 1: 29-37,.

Tweaking the human circadian clock with light.Oren DA & Terman M.Science1998; 279:333-334.

Exploring the biology of phototherapy.Oschman, Journal of Optometric Phototherapy 2001;1-9.

The Fire within the Eye: A historical essay on the nature and meaning of light. Park, D.Princeton: Princeton Univeristy Press, 1997.

Tunnel vision, a loss of visual sensitivity in school age children.Searfoss J, & Garzia RJournal of Optometric Vision Development 2000; 21(3):117-130.

The Syntonic Principle.Spitler HR.Eaton, OH: College of Syntonic Optometry 1941.

. Mammalian ceebral cortical tissue responds to low-intensity visible light.Wade. P.D, et alProc Natl Acad Sci (U S A) 1988; 85(23):9322-9326.

Light and Life Processes.Wolken, J.J.New York: Van Nostrand Reinhold Co. 1986.

The Reflexive Universe: Evolution of Consciousness. Young, Arthur,Delacorte Press 1976.

Catching the Light: The entwined history of light and mind.Zajonc, A.. New York: Bantam Books 1993.

Correcting delayed circadian phase with bright light therapy predicts improvement in ADHD symptoms: A pilot study. Fargason RE, et al. J Psychiatr Res. 2017 Aug;91:105-110.

Timed Light Therapy for Sleep and Daytime Sleepiness Associated With Parkinson Disease: A Randomized Clinical Trial. Videnovic A, et al. JAMA Neurol. 2017 Apr 1;74(4):411-418.

Continuous coloured light altered human brain haemodynamics and oxygenation assessed by systemic physiology augmented functional nearinfrared spectroscopy. A. J. Metz, et al. Scientific Reports volume 7, Article number: 10027 (2017)

The impact of modulated, colored light on the autonomic nervous system. Ross MJ, Guthrie P, Dumont JC. Adv Mind Body Med. 2013 Fall;27(4):7-16.

Impact of Colored Light on Cardiorespiratory Coordination. Edelhäuser F et al. Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine Volume 2013, Article ID 810876, 7 pages

The effects of color stimulus on autonomic nervous system activity and subjective arousal state Atsuko TOKUSHIGE, et al. International Journal of Japanese nursing care practice and study, Vol.1,No.2/ 2013 IJJNS. Print edition Published DVD, ISSN 2187- 6142.