Review article
Effect of phototherapy on seasonal changes in self-estimation of mood in blind and poorly-sighted children and adolescents

Since seasonal affective disorder has its roots in the lack of sunshine, phototherapy seems to be the most effective for its treatment. Due to the shortage of sunshine during winter, people who are blind or poorly-sighted become socially limited and their biological cycles get shifted. The aim of study was to evaluate the effects of bright light therapy on a self-estimation of blind and poorly-sighted children.
Nine poorly-sighted children and six blind children were exposed to bright light of intensity 3500 lux for
30 minutes lasting morning exposure for 10 days
during the autumn. All children filled in a Ziller self – estimation test.
Self-estimation increased from baseline after light therapy in 73,3% of all children. Light therapy appears to be an effective method improving not only self-estimation but also quality of life, both of them being dependent on seasonal mood changes of blind and poorly-sighted children. Further clinical examinations are required for the different light intensities to be used with blind and poorly-sighted children.