Quack Eye Cure #4

Quack Eye Cure No. 4. Color Therapy

The notion that different shades of visible light can heal the body is called color therapy or chromotherapy. Augustus J. Pleasonton launched a blue light health craze after claiming it improved the health of all living things. Scientific American debunked his theories in 1877.

Later, in 1920, Dinshah P. Ghadiali began selling the Spectro-Chrome Therapeutic System.

The device, a box with a large light bulb inside, emitted light through 12 colored filters. Each color was said to help specific ailments or body parts. The blue light filter was used to “cure” glaucoma and cataracts. He and his device were exposed as frauds in court.

However, a version of the device is still sold today, so don’t be fooled—visit our ophthalmologists to treat glaucoma and cataracts.