The Potential Effects of Light Irradiance in Glaucoma and Photobiomodulation Therapy

Human vision is mediated by the retina, one of the most critical tissues in the central nervous system. Glaucoma is a complex retinal disease attributed to environmental, genetic, and stochastic factors, all of which contribute to its pathogenesis. Historically, glaucoma had been thought of primarily as a disease of the elderly; however, it is now becoming more problematic as the incidence rate increases among young individuals. In recent years, excessive light exposure has been suggested as contributing to the rise in glaucoma among the younger generation. Blue light induces mitochondrial apoptosis in retinal ganglion cells, causing optic damage; red light increases cytochrome c oxidase activity in the electron transport system, reducing inflammation and increasing antioxidant reactions to promote cell regeneration. In conclusion, the minimization of blue light exposure and the general application of red light treatment strategies are anticipated to show synergistic effects with existing treatments for retinal disease and glaucoma and should be considered a necessary prospect for the future. This review introduces the recent studies that support the relationship between light exposure and the onset of glaucoma and discusses new treatments, such as photobiomodulation therapy.