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Enhancing visual Function With Light!

Providing Education to Qualified Optometrists in the Field of Optometric Phototherapy

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Enhancing visual Function With Light!

Providing Education to Qualified Optometrists in the Field of Optometric Phototherapy

A colorful picture of swirling lights in the dark.

Enhancing visual Function With Light!

Providing Education to Qualified Optometrists in the Field of Optometric Phototherapy

A colorful picture of the head and face.

Enhancing visual Function With Light!

Providing Education to Qualified Optometrists in the Field of Optometric Phototherapy

Syntonic Phototherapy

Through the ages, we have thought that light entering our eyes was just for seeing.

It has been recognised for decades that we not only use light for seeing but there are photoreceptors in the visual system which have a profound effect on biological functions of the brain and body.

There is an accumulating body of research highlighting the importance of light to our bodies but also light via our eyes!

We have seen the discoveries of photosensitive receptors all over our body. They can be likened to antennas. They pick up the wavelengths of light and convert it into nerve impulses for the body or brain to decode. These photoreceptor molecules are called Opsins.

Currently, Phototherapy is the hottest research topic in medicine. There are over 3,000 papers yearly on the topic. There is a specific field called Chronobiology dedicated to medicine in finding out the effect of Circadian rhythms on sleep and general health.

Current Phototherapies in medicine are – Photobiomodulation, Dynamic phototherapy, Chronobiology, Photopharmacology therapy, and Chronotherapy.

Phototherapy has been used for Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), jaundice in babies, UV for psoriasis, Photosensitive drugs (Photofrin) and red light in cancer treatment. More recent studies in Ophthalmological papers for macular degeneration, glaucoma and myopia. Migraines and improvement in eyesight.

Exposure to certain colours has also been found to affect behaviour, mood, concentration, attention, memory, and physiological functions.

There are three ways light works with the body.

1] Phototransduction for picking up light and converting it into nerve impulses such as photoreceptors in the eye for vision – the Retinocortical pathway

2] Bio-Active pathway of light - nonvisual functions – the Retinohypothalamic pathway.

3] Biological effects directly on cell function. Such as photobiomodulation and dynamic phototherapy.

Since the early nineteen thirties (1930s), Optometrists have known about the nonvisual pathway, and Dr. Harry Riley Spitler developed Optometric Phototherapy Syntonics.

Optometric Phototherapy Syntonics is the branch of ocular science dealing with the application use of specific frequencies of light via the eyes to improve visual dysfunctions.

Syntonics is not used for the treatment of pathological conditions. Syntonics can be used for functional binocular dysfunctions as the primary treatment or to support other therapies to aid in the remediation of such dysfunctions as strabismus, amblyopia, accommodation, convergence, vision-related learning disorders and the visual sequelae of traumatic brain injury.

Patients are diagnosed by symptoms, vision evaluation, visual/motor performance, and peripheral vision sensitivity. They may have blurred vision, a crossed or lazy eye, double vision, or poor academic achievement. If appropriate, they are treated by way of their eyes with selected visible light frequencies seen as colours.

Optometric research published in the New England Journal of Medicine supports the theory that a temporal deficiency exists in the magnocellular pathway (transient vision system) of reading-disabled children. Efficient timing and interaction of the magnocellular pathway with the parvocellular (sustained) system appear to be crucial for efficient visual processing. Colour has been shown to affect the timing relationships of the dual pathway. This might explain why Syntonic practitioners report changes in their patients’ neuromotor and perceptual skills when neither movement nor practice has been initiated during phototherapy.

Australian College of Syntonics

The Australian College of Syntonics is an education body for optometrists.

Its aim is to advance the understanding and therapeutic use of Optometric Phototherapy -Syntonics.

Our courses and education are designed for optometrists who are interested in functional and developmental vision care and want to extend their knowledge of assessment strategies and treatment options. The education and development include interpreting vision symptoms and binocular vision in a new way, combined with a more precise evaluation of both pupil reactions and peripheral awareness. This gives further insight into the ease, comfort, and accuracy of the eye teaming system.

And, importantly, the skills you learn combined with your understanding of underlying causes of accommodation convergence and binocular vision difficulties guide colour filter selections and treatment options.

Vision is more than visual acuity and refraction; the nonvisual image-forming areas and tracts in the brain are known as the retino-hypothalamic pathway. These brain areas and pathways are not involved with eyesight as we think about it, but have a profound effect and influence on function. The science is evolving, and there is new research on the various aspects of light that include spectral composition (the frequency), light intensity and the time of application. More evidence is forthcoming from circadian studies as well as melatonin, Photobiomodulation and myopia control studies, to name a few.

Syntonic light therapy has been evolving as a clinical science since the 1930s. The knowledge that light, as well as natural light, is beneficial goes back much further.

For new students of this art, start with the Basic 101 Syntonics course to get the fundamental concepts, including testing and treatment using the most common filter combinations for the broadest range of syntonic cases. Once you have some confidence, the advanced 201 course goes deeper into all the areas of diagnosis and treatments.

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Interactive workshops

November 15th 2023
Special Population & Autistic Spectrum And Syntonic Photo Therapy Cases
Virtual Meeting 1-2hrs
Send in your cases for discussion

Courses

Basic 101 Syntonics Virtual Course
February 24th-25th 2024

Conferences

Annual General Conference
June 2024
Virtual Meeting

Events

Latest Past Events

Disclaimer: The evidence and research on the physiological effects of light is fast-moving and subject to Constant changes. The Australian College of Syntonics (ACS) website is for general information and educational purposes and not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment from your registered/ licensed health care provider. The target audience for our courses is optometrists with a strong foundation in behavioural vision care. The information herein is general in nature, is subject to change without notice, and should not be used to diagnose or treat a specific health problem. Course information does not replace concepts and learnings from previous academic and institutional studies. ACS does not recommend or endorse any specific tests, practitioners, products, or procedures and encourages you to direct any questions you have concerning your personal health to registered /licensed medical practitioners or other appropriate healthcare professionals. We do not provide any kind of medical health advice. The use or reliance of any information contained on the site is solely at your own risk. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on the ACS Site.