A reader asks:

 How do I know if I am sensitive to the UV lights particularly with my eyes? I do not have any eye disorders, but I know I’m just a more sensitive person in general. Are there any eye or skin tests I could take before using the light therapy so I do not burn or damage my eyes or skin?

Answer:

That’s a really good question!  Many people worry about the eye safety of bright light therapy. You are absolutely correct to be concerned about UV light.  Light from this non-visible part of the spectrum can cause a variety of ocular problems, especially cataracts. The good news is that most, legitimate light boxes include a diffuser screen that is designed to entirely block out this wavelength portion. This is another good reason to only use light boxes that have been clinically tested, both for effectiveness and safety.