Less Stressed Life: Helping You Heal Yourself #422 Improving Eyesight with Light with Glen Jeffery
This week on the Less Stressed Life, we’re talking vision, mitochondria, and light with ophthalmologist and UCL researcher Glen Jeffery. We explore why the retina is so energy hungry and how simple exposure to long wavelength light and even plain incandescent lighting can measurably support aging eyes.
We dig into wavelength and dose, why morning timing matters most, what makes incandescent bulbs uniquely powerful, and practical ways to protect your eyes from modern indoor lighting.
If you’ve ever battled screen related eye strain, worried about declining vision, or felt lost in the red light maze, this conversation brings clarity and simple next steps.
KEY TAKEAWAYS:
• Morning light best activates mitochondria and supports eye health
• Just three minutes of red or long wavelength light can boost color vision
• Benefits fade after about five days without continued exposure
• Incandescent bulbs outperform LEDs for vision and energy support
• Blue light and LEDs can drain mitochondrial function
• Avoid lasers; low intensity LEDs or sunlight are safest
• Daily natural light is the simplest, most effective therapy
ABOUT GUEST:
Dr. Glen Jeffery is a Professor of Neuroscience at the UCL Institute of Ophthalmology. His research focuses on how aging and light exposure affect the retina and mitochondrial function. He has pioneered studies showing how specific wavelengths of light, including red and infrared, can improve visual performance and support healthy aging of the eye. His work bridges neuroscience, ophthalmology, and environmental health, emphasizing practical, light-based approaches to protect and restore vision.
WHERE TO FIND:
Email: g.jeffery@ucl.ac.uk
WHERE TO FIND CHRISTA:
Website: https://www.christabiegler.com/
Instagram: @anti.inflammatory.nutritionist
Podcast Instagram: @lessstressedlife
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@lessstressedlife
NUTRITION PHILOSOPHY OF LESS STRESSED LIFE:
🍽️ Over restriction is dead
🥑 Whole food is soul food and fed is best
🔄 Sustainable, synergistic nutrition is in (the opposite of whack-a-mole supplementation & supplement graveyards)
🤝 You don’t have to figure it out alone
❤️ Do your best and leave the rest
SPONSOR:
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