A simple portable ocular light device for phototherapy of seasonal affective disorder

The authors report the development and a safety and acceptability study of a portable ocular light device, the SADlite. The study was conducted in 15 adult patients who had seasonal affective disorder (SAD). Each patient was given three two-week "on" phototherapy periods alternating with three two-week "off" periods. The SADlite provides 8,000 lux. Thirteen (13) of the 15 patients were completers and, as a group, achieved impressive clinical and statistically significant improvement (p < 0.0001) on three standard outcome measures. The SADlite was well tolerated, produced no adverse visual effect, and was preferred by patients previously exposed to stationary phototherapy devices.