How does light therapy work?

I have really irregular sleeping patterns. Sometimes, I sleep way too much, and sometimes I can't fall asleep at all. I don't want to take medicine, because I don't just have one problem. My friend told me that I could try light therapy instead. How does light therapy work? How effective would it be for a case like mine?

Doctors Answers (1)

SomnoDiagnostics, Inc.
Answered on: 2/18/2014

Light therapy works based on your circadian rhythm. Light therapy, which strikes the retina of the eyes, is used to treat circadian rhythm disorders, such as delayed sleep phase disorder, and can also be used to treat seasonal affective disorder. The light is administered for a prescribed amount of time and, in some cases, at a specific time of day. The effectiveness of light therapy depends on the individual.