Full Text Full Text (PDF) Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Email this article to a Colleague Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Add to My Articles & Searches Download to citation manager Citing Articles via Google Scholar Articles by Kogan, A. O. Articles by Guilford, P. M. Search for Related Content PubMed Citation Articles by Kogan, A. O. Articles by Guilford, P. M.

Side Effects of Short-Term 10,000-Lux Light Therapy

OBJECTIVE: Previous reports of side effects from light therapy were mostly based on administration of 2,500-lux treatments. It has become common practice to use brighter, 10,000-lux exposure when treating seasonal affective disorder. The authors studied side effects produced by short-term 10,000-lux light therapy. METHOD: Seventy subjects with seasonal affective disorder who underwent brief 10,000-lux light therapy were asked to report side effects. RESULTS: Of the 70 subjects, 32 (45.7%) experienced side effects, and nine (12.9%) reported two or more apiece. Headaches and eye or vision problems were the most common. Almost all were mild, were transient, and did not interfere with treatment. CONCLUSIONS: Short-term 10,000-lux light therapy often produces side effects early in treatment. These are not serious or prolonged, however, confirming findings from earlier studies that used dimmer light. (Am J Psychiatry 1998; 155:293–294)

Get information about faster international access.

Privacy Policy

Copyright © 1998 American Psychiatric Association. All rights reserved.

Home | Search | Current Issue | Past Issues | Subscribe | All APPI Journals | Help | Contact Us