do you need eye protection when using a red light therapy panel

Do I need eye protection when using red light therapy panels?

In most cases, yes, it’s recommended to use eye protection when using a red light therapy panel, especially if the panel is close to your face or shining toward your eyes.

See our red light therapy panel here.

Red and near-infrared light therapy is generally considered non-invasive. It is very different from UV light. UV light from the sun or tanning beds can damage your eyes and is linked with problems such as photokeratitis, cataracts, and growths on the eye, which is why you should avoid looking directly at the sun or use UV tanning beds without proper eye protection.

A red light therapy panel does not use UV light, but it can still be bright and intense, especially at close distance, so eye protection is still a sensible habit.

Our panel comes with silicone goggles, which are designed to block the light more completely than ordinary sunglasses. They are simple, practical, and useful when the panel is facing your eyes.

If the panel is facing your eyes, use eye protection.

If the panel is being used lower on the body and your eyes are not exposed, eye protection may be less important, but you should still avoid staring directly into the LEDs.

Why eye protection matters

Red light therapy panels are brighter than most people expect.

Eye protection helps reduce:

  • glare
  • discomfort
  • accidental staring
  • unnecessary eye exposure
  • sensitivity during face sessions

Near-infrared light is especially worth mentioning because it is mostly invisible. You may not realize how much near-infrared light is being emitted because your eyes do not see it clearly.

That does not mean near-infrared is automatically dangerous. It means you should not judge safety only by how bright the panel looks.

What does research say about eye safety?

The research is not as simple as “red light is dangerous” or “red light is always safe.”

A 2017 review called Light therapy: is it safe for the eyes? looked at ocular safety in light therapy more broadly. The authors concluded that light therapy appears safe for the eyes in physically healthy, unmedicated people, but they also noted that eye safety in people with pre-existing eye abnormalities or increased photosensitivity needs more study.

For most healthy people, sensible light therapy use appears low risk. But it does not mean every person should stare directly into a bright panel without protection.

A 2024 review on photobiomodulation use in ophthalmology is also interesting because it discusses red and near-infrared light being studied for eye-related conditions. The review looks at preclinical and clinical evidence for PBM in ophthalmology and gives recommendations for clinical use.

That may sound surprising, but it is important to understand the difference:

Red and near-infrared light can be studied for eye-related uses under specific clinical conditions.
That does not mean you should expose your eyes carelessly to any home panel.

A home panel is not the same as a controlled ophthalmology device or a supervised clinical protocol.

So the practical takeaway is:

Use the device as intended.
Do not stare into the LEDs.
Use goggles when the panel is near your face.

What about LED masks and eye safety?

LED face masks are not the same as red light therapy panels, but they are useful to mention because they are used close to the eyes.

A 2025 randomized, double-blind, sham-controlled study looked at a home-use LED and infrared-emitting diode mask for crow’s feet. The study used 630nm red light and 850nm near-infrared light in a home-use mask format. The researchers reported that the device was safe, well tolerated, painless, and effective in that specific study setting.

The limitation is important: this was a specific mask, with a specific design and protocol. It does not prove that all red light or near-infrared devices are safe for every person in terms of eye care. Again, it does not mean you should use a panel without eye protection.

It shows that red and near-infrared light can be used near the eye area in controlled product designs.

Yet, keep in mind, a panel is different than a mask. It is more open, brighter, and easier to look into by accident. That is why goggles make sense.

What types of eye protection can you use?

There are a few options. The best choice depends on how you use the panel.

Silicone blackout goggles

silicone goggles for eye protection

This is the type that comes with our panel.

These goggles are usually small, flexible, and sit over the eyes to block most of the light.

Pros

  • blocks light well
  • simple and practical
  • good for face sessions
  • useful with bright panels
  • compact and easy to store

Cons

  • you cannot see properly while wearing them
  • can feel slightly awkward
  • may leave temporary marks around the eyes
  • not ideal if you want to read, adjust things, or move around during the session

For panel use, this is my preferred option when the light is facing the face. It is the simplest habit: put the goggles on, start the session, and avoid looking into the light.

See-through red light therapy glasses

glasses used for eye protection

Some red light therapy glasses are tinted so you can still see while wearing them.

Pros

  • easier to see through
  • more comfortable for some people
  • useful for setup and adjustment
  • less restrictive than blackout goggles

Cons

  • may not block as much light as silicone goggles
  • protection depends on the lens rating
  • not all tinted glasses block near-infrared properly
  • can give a false sense of protection

If you buy see-through glasses, check what wavelengths they are designed to filter. A generic red, orange, or dark lens is not automatically the same as proper light therapy eye wear.

What about closing your eyes

You might be thinking, well I can just close my eyes, won’t it be the same as wearing glasses? Closing your eyes may reduce discomfort, but I not give you full eye protection.

It may be okay if the panel is far away or not directly facing your eyes. But for close face sessions, it’s safer to use goggles instead.

When should you definitely use eye protection?

I would use eye protection when:

  • the panel is facing your face
  • you are using the panel near your head
  • the light feels very bright
  • you are close to the panel
  • you are doing longer sessions
  • you have sensitive eyes
  • you are using near-infrared mode
  • you are using the panel in a dark room
  • you are prone to light sensitivity

Who should be extra cautious?

Speak to a qualified healthcare professional before using a red light therapy panel near your face if you:

  • have an eye condition
  • have had eye surgery
  • have retinal disease
  • have severe light sensitivity
  • take photosensitising medication
  • get migraines triggered by light
  • are unsure whether the device is suitable for you

That does not mean red light therapy panels are automatically unsafe. It means eye safety depends on the person, the device, and how the product is used.

Keep it simple and rather be safe

For our panel and generally any red light therapy panel, I would recommend this:

Use the included silicone goggles whenever the panel is facing your face or eyes.

If you are using the panel on your legs, stomach, lower back, or another area where your eyes are not exposed, goggles may be less necessary. But still avoid looking directly into the LEDs.

If you want more convenience, you can look for see-through red light therapy glasses. However, make sure they are rated for the wavelengths your panel emits and aren’t some cheap alternative that does not really protect your eyes.

For most people, the silicone goggles are the simplest, safest and most affordable option.

FAQ

Does your red light therapy panel come with eye protection?

Yes. Our panel comes with silicone goggles.

Are silicone goggles better than glasses?

Silicone blackout goggles usually block more light, but you cannot see through them. See-through glasses are more convenient, but the protection depends on the lens rating.

Can I just close my eyes?

For a short, indirect exposure, closing your eyes may reduce discomfort. But for face sessions with a bright panel, I would use goggles.

Can I use normal sunglasses?

Normal sunglasses may reduce glare, but they are not designed for red and near-infrared panel use. Proper light therapy goggles or glasses are a better option.

Is red light therapy dangerous for eyes?

Used properly, red and near-infrared light therapy is generally considered low risk, and PBM is even being studied for some eye-related conditions. But that does not mean you should stare directly into a bright home panel.

Do I need goggles for body sessions?

If the panel is not facing your eyes, goggles may be less necessary. But if there is any chance of direct eye exposure, use them.

Disclaimer

This article is for general educational purposes only and is not medical advice. Red light therapy products are intended for general wellness and lifestyle use unless specifically cleared for a particular medical purpose. Always follow your device instructions and consult a qualified healthcare professional if you have a medical condition, take photosensitising medication, have an eye condition, are pregnant, or are unsure whether red light therapy is suitable for you.

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