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Damaged retinal cells may benefit from near-infrared radiation

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MILWAUKEE, Wis. — Shining near-infrared radiation on damaged retinal cells in rats helped keep the cells alive and may prevent permanent damage, researchers here say.

Harry Whelan, MD, and colleagues with the Medical College of Wisconsin blinded rats by giving them high doses of methanol. Within hours, the rats' retinal cells and optic nerves began to die, and they went blind within 1 to 2 days.

When the rats were treated with LED light for 105 seconds at 5, 25 and 50 hours after being dosed with the methanol, they retained or recovered 95% of their sight.

“There was some tissue regeneration, and neurons, axons and dendrites may also be reconnecting,” Dr. Whelan said in the July 12 issue of New Scientist.

Dr. Whelan believes the LED technique could be used to treat eye diseases caused by mitochondrial problems and may help repair retinal damage caused by lasers.