Light therapy for eyelash growth

Abstract

Systems, methods, and devices for promoting eyelash hair growth includes an energy transducer, positionable proximate the eyelid, configured to provide light energy to a user's eyelids at an output wavelength suitable for stimulating eyelash hair growth, and a scleral shield, positionable inside of the eyelid, to protect the eye from the light energy. The device may be powered by an internal power source, such as a rechargeable battery or disposable batteries, or by an external power source, such as a plug used in connection with an AC outlet. In use, the eyelid is positioned between the energy transducer and the scleral shield, and the light energy from the energy transducer is applied to the eyelash region of the eyelid to promote eyelash hair growth.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A light therapy device for stimulating and/or promoting eyelash growth, comprising:
 an energy transducer configured to provide light energy at one or more wavelengths to an eyelash region of an eyelid; and   a scleral shield configured to block light energy toward the eyeball;   wherein when the eyelid is positioned between the energy transducer and the scleral shield, the energy transducer provides light energy at a first wavelength to the eyelash region suitable for stimulating and/or promoting eyelash hair growth, and the scleral shield blocks and/or protects the eyeball from the light energy.   
     
     
         2 . The device of  claim 1  wherein the first wavelength for eyelash hair growth is within a wavelength range of 450 nm-700 nm. 
     
     
         3 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the energy transducer is further configured to provide light energy at a second wavelength to treat bacteria on the eyelid. 
     
     
         4 . The device of  claim 3  wherein the second wavelength is within a wavelength range of 400 nm-450 nm. 
     
     
         5 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the energy transducer is further configured to provide light energy at a third wavelength to heat the eyelid and soften or melt meibum within meibomian glands. 
     
     
         6 . The device of  claim 5  wherein the third wavelength is within a wavelength range of 700 nm-1000 nm. 
     
     
         7 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the scleral shield is made of, or coated with, a light energy blocking material. 
     
     
         8 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the energy transducer comprises at least one of an LED, laser, incandescent lamp, xenon lamp, halogen lamp, luminescent lamp, high-intensity discharge lamp, and gas discharge lamp. 
     
     
         9 . The device of  claim 1 , further comprising one or more components selected from the group consisting of: a display or dashboard configured to display the device status, a battery configured to power the device components, battery charging means, and a controller. 
     
     
         10 . A handheld light therapy device for stimulating and/or promoting eyelash growth, comprising:
 a housing;   an energy transducer module positioned at a distal end of the housing, the energy transducer module being configured to provide light energy at one or more wavelengths suitable for stimulating and/or promoting eyelash hair growth to an eyelash region of an eyelid;   a power source module positioned within the housing, the power source module being coupled to the energy transducer module;   a controller coupled to the power source module;   a user interface device coupled to the controller, the user interface device being configured to provide user input to the controller to instruct the power source module to deliver energy to or from the energy transducer module; and   a scleral shield configured to block light energy toward the eyeball being made of, or coated with, a light energy blocking material, the scleral shield being positioned between the energy transducer and the eyeball;   wherein when the eyelash region is positioned in a gap between the energy transducer and the scleral shield, the energy transducer is instructed to provide light energy at a first wavelength to the eyelash region, and the scleral shield blocks and/or protects the eyeball from the light energy.   
     
     
         11 . The device of  claim 10  wherein the first wavelength for eyelash hair growth is within a wavelength range of 450 nm-700 nm. 
     
     
         12 . The device of  claim 10 , wherein the energy transducer is further configured to provide light energy at a second wavelength to treat bacteria on the eyelid. 
     
     
         13 . The device of  claim 10 , wherein the energy transducer is further configured to provide light energy at a third wavelength to heat the eyelid and soften or melt meibum within meibomian glands. 
     
     
         14 . The device of  claim 10 , wherein interface device is selected from the group consisting of: a button, switch, touch screen, voice commands, another module or device and a smartphone. 
     
     
         15 . The device of  claim 10 , wherein the energy transducer comprises at least one of an LED, laser, incandescent lamp, xenon lamp, halogen lamp, luminescent lamp, high-intensity discharge lamp, and gas discharge lamp. 
     
     
         16 . The device of  claim 10 , further comprising a safety feature electrically coupled to the energy transducer prevents or interrupts the light energy from occurring if the scleral shield is not in position to protect the eyeball.