Optometric Phototherapy (Syntonics)

Optometric Phototherapy, also known as Syntonic Phototherapy, is the use of specific frequencies (colours) of visible light projected into the eyes, to enhance visual efficiency (focus/eye movements) and visual information processing (interpreting what is being seen).

Syntonics is defined as ‘balance’, thus Syntonic Phototherapy implies a form of vision therapy being utilised to bring the visual system into balance.

Syntonic Phototherapy can be recommended as a stand alone treatment or form one part of a complete vision therapy programme.

The treatment involves a complete initial optometric assessment to evaluate an individual’s vision and ocular health status. Following this, if recommended, further assessment to ascertain whether Syntonic Phototherapy may be beneficial is conducted. This involves measuring the visual fields, the area over which one is able to detect light and movement in one’s environment. In Syntonic Phototherapy the visual field is measured using a specialised instrument called a Stereo Campimeter, which allows measurement of ability to perceive not only movement but also different colours.

In many cases of visual stress and visually related learning difficulties, an individual’s perceptual visual fields may become temporarily constricted. That is, in cases where there exists an excess of visual information coming into the eyes, more than a person may be able to process in a single eye fixation, then the visual field can reduce in area. This affects the volume of visual information that a person can see and understand with each eye movement, and also affects binocular vision skills.

For example, this can affect visual skills required for reading, and in the classroom environment may result in words moving, merging or ghosting on the page and children possibly skipping lines or words as they find it difficult to direct their eyes accurately.

In addition, constricted perceptual visual fields can also affect visual-spatial awareness, the ability to perceive and judge where objects are in one’s visual space, an important skill for organising work on the page when writing and also for balance and co-ordination such as in movement and sport.

If the Behavioural Optometrist determines that Syntonic Phototherapy may be beneficial for your vision, an individualised programme is designed. The Syntonic Phototherapy involves either in-office and/or home based therapy. For most individuals the therapy would involve hiring a Syntonic Phototherapy unit (otherwise known as a Syntoniser or Syntonics Home Unit) from their Behavioural Optometrist, along with the specific and individually prescribed coloured filters they would require.

Common visual conditions where Syntonic Phototherapy may be recommended include:

• Visually Related Learning Problems
• Focus and eye movement difficulties
• Binocular Vision difficulties
• Headaches
• Photophobia (glare sensitivity)
• Acquired Brain Injury
• Sports Vision