Light Therapy Side Effects

Light therapy is one of the leading treatments for depression disorders like SAD (seasonal affective disorder). It involves exposing the patient to intense levels of light for a prescribed period. So far, studies have shown that there are few side effects of light therapy, but you should educate yourself before you decide to try it.

Eyes

• During light therapy treatment, you sit close to a light box with the lights turned on and your eyes open and uncovered. This can cause eye irritation, which is a common side effect, according to Columbia University. Try not to look directly at the lights. Read, write, or do other activities that will allow you to sit by the light box with your eyes open but will take away the temptation to look at the lights. If you are still experiencing irritation, you can ask your doctor if you could sit a little farther from the lights, use them for a shorter length of time or use a humidifier in the room to avoid drying your eyes too much.

  While light therapy can cause irritation, the University of Washington Counseling Center indicates that light therapy can't harm the retina or cause or accelerate any eye disease. However, if you have any existing visual problems other than needing eyeglasses or contacts, you should consult your doctor before beginning light therapy.

Overreaction

• It is possible to overreact to light therapy, although this side effect is rare. If you overreact to light therapy, you might feel "on" or "too high" after treatment. You might have difficulty sleeping, become restless during the day and you might even be irritable. You are at a higher risk for overreaction if you have SAD and experience similar "too high" symptoms in the late spring and summer. You should alert your doctor right away if you feel that your body might be overreacting to light therapy.

Other Side Effects

• Other side effects of light therapy are usually minor and include headache and nausea. According to Columbia University, many patients who experience side effects notice them primarily at the beginning of treatment, and the side effects go away on their own in a few days.

  Light therapy and its side effects have not been systematically evaluated in pregnant women, so talk to your doctor before deciding if light therapy is right for you if you are pregnant.