Ophthalmic Phototherapy Device and Associated Treatment Method

Abstract

An ophthalmic phototherapy device and associated phototherapy treatment method for promoting healing of damaged or diseased eye tissue. The ophthalmic phototherapy device includes a light emitting mechanism for transmitting light of at least one preselected wavelength to the eye tissue. The ophthalmic phototherapy method includes directing light of at least one wavelength for a selected period of time to a portion of damaged or diseased eye tissue, whereby the light transmitted to the damaged or diseased eye tissue stimulates cellular activity in the eye tissue to promote healing.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This application is a Continuation-In-Part of U.S. application Ser. No. 12 / 172,697, filed Jul. 14, 2008; which is a Continuation-In-Part of U.S. application Ser. No. 11 / 858,351, filed Sep. 20, 2007; which is a Continuation-In-Part of U.S. application Ser. No. 11 / 106,416, filed Apr. 14, 2005.STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT[0002]Not ApplicableBACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0003]1. Field of Invention[0004]This invention relates to an ophthalmic phototherapy device and an associated treatment method. More specifically, the present invention is related to a device and method for exposing an eye to selected wavelengths of light to promote the healing of damaged or diseased eye tissue.[0005]2. Description of the Related Art[0006]Light has various uses within the medical community. Exposure of cellular tissue to light is known to modulate the activity of such cellular tissue. Different wavelengths of light act on diff...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The present invention provides an ophthalmic phototherapy device and method for promoting healing of damaged eye tissue. The device has a light emitting mechanism that can stimulate activity in the eye tissue to promote healing by transmitting light of at least one preselected wavelength. The device can have multiple LEDs capable of emitting light of different wavelengths, which can be selectively controlled for different treatment sequences and combinations. The method involves identifying a treatable portion of cellular tissue in the eye and exposing it to light of at least one preselected wavelength for a preselected period of time to photobiomodulate cellular activity in the tissue to promote healing. The tissue can be exposed to light of a plurality of wavelengths either sequentially, in combination, or as a continuous beam or pulsing beam. The technical effect of this invention is to provide a non-invasive and effective treatment for damaged eye tissue.

Problems solved by technology

Further, an incandescent light produces numerous wavelengths and the wavelengths are not subject to independent control, which results in unpredictable modulation of the cellular activity within the exposed cellular tissue.

These destructive uses of light cause other damage to the eye tissue, but this other damage is of the type that can be healed by the body's normal recuperative mechanisms over time.

Accordingly, none of the known phototherapy mechanisms are used for promoting the healing, regrowth, or regeneration of damaged or diseased eye tissue or for alleviating discomfort associated with damaged or diseased eye tissue within the field of ophthalmology.

Images