Syntonic Phototherapy
What is Syntonics?
SYNTONIC PHOTOTHERAPY may be today’s most advanced clinical science in light therapy. Since the 1920’s it has been used effectively by optometrists to treat patients with inefficient visual function.
Patients are diagnosed by symptoms, vision evaluation, visual/motor performance and peripheral vision sensitivity. If appropriate, they are treated with certain selected light frequencies (colors), applied by way of the eyes to the brain centers.
Since eighty percent of learning occurs by way of the eyes, inefficient visual function such as blurred vision, a crossed or lazy eye, double vision or focusing and convergence problems can be treated with the application of the proper color of light. Syntonics has been used clinically for over 70 years in the field of optometry with continued success in improving visual function.
Not all retinal (light-sensitive) nerves in the eyes serve vision. Some connect the retina directly to non-visual brain centers such as the hypothalamus and pineal gland, and can thus influence electrical, chemical and hormonal balances. And so, light therapy is also commanding respect in the medical community as its benefits are investigated in the treatment of brain injury, emotional trauma, stress, sleep disorders and conditions related to the body’s daily rhythms.
Years of clinical application and research have demonstrated that certain selected light frequencies (colors), applied by way of the eyes to these centers, can produce beneficial results in the body, affecting behavior, mood and physiological functions.
At EyeOptics Optometry center, syntonics is included as part of our vision therapy program, but can also be used as a stand-alone treatment.
For additional resources and information
College of Syntonic Optometry | (csovision.org)
Case Reports
Head Trauma
Phototherapy (Syntonics) may be an appropriate intervention to relieve both signs and symptoms after traumatic head injury.
Complaint: Double vision, nausea, can’t walk straight, extreme headaches constantly, blur far and near, constant vertigo.
History: Auto accident x 1 month prior to being seen. Driving, auto hit ice, slid and turned over three times. There were many cuts and blows to the head. Patient had to wear a neck brace and take heavy medication, which had no effect on the headaches or vertigo.
Course & Prognosis: By the eighth session of phototherapy the headaches were starting to decrease and the vertigo was less. Reflexes were still very slow. By the 15th treatment, the headaches were mostly gone, reflexes were coming back and the medication was mostly stopped. 20 sessions were completed in all. Two weeks after therapy the patient was square dancing and almost back to normal.
Discussion: This is a very successful case in head trauma. In many cases more than one series of syntonics is required and is often combined with vision therapy.
Focusing System
Phototherapy can help relax the visual system so that progress can be made with other visual skills.
Complaint: trouble with reading: tracking issues, blurry lines, lines/words shifting while focusing.
Course & Prognosis: A developmental vision evaluation revealed that this patient struggled with focus flexibility and depth perception. Although significant progress was made with depth perception through vision therapy the focusing system was still stressed and struggling to improve. Syntonics was brought in to target the focusing system. After two series of light therapy the patient achieved not only the desired focusing speed, but also saw an increase in stamina for focused learning tasks. This contributed to greater confidence at school, and improved performance in archery and basketball.
Discussion: The visual system in this case required two rounds of syntonics combined with vision therapy to achieve the patient’s goals.
Common Symptoms Treated by Syntonic Phototherapy
Visual
- Blurred or fluctuating vision
- Eye turn or lazy eye
- Double vision
- Eye strain or fatigue
- Reduced peripheral vision
- Glare or light sensitivity
- Night vision problems
Visually Related
- Headaches
- Poor concentration or attention span
- Reading problems
- Reduced academic performance
- Poor coordination or balance
- Reduced athletic performance
- Driving or depth perception problems
- Job performance or sustained near task difficulties
History of Stress Trauma
- Brain Injury
- Emotional Trauma
- Illness: chronic or severe
- Allergies: chronic or environmental
