Red Light Therapy: Eyes Open or Closed?
Published October 2026. Updated October 2026.
Quick answer
Follow the manual that came with your device. In plain terms: keep your eyes closed, wear the goggles that come with it, and never look directly at the LEDs. The FX300 and FX500 panel pages list goggles in the box. Bright light at close range is uncomfortable to stare at, and near infrared light is invisible, so your eyes cannot tell you how much is reaching them.
The short answer
People ask this a lot, usually when they set up a panel for the first time and wonder whether it is fine to keep their eyes open while they face it. Our answer is simple and it matches the paperwork in the box. Read the manual, close your eyes, put the goggles on, and do not look straight at the LEDs. That applies to every distance and every session, including short ones.
We are not making a claim about what any light does or does not do to a particular person. This guide explains the practical reasons behind the instruction, in everyday language, so it is easy to remember and easy to follow. If you have an eye condition, take medication, are pregnant or are sensitive to light, ask a doctor before you use any light device.
Why your eyes get their own rule
Device directions handle your skin and your eyes separately, and there are a few plain reasons for that.
Reason one: the light is bright and close
A panel is a flat board of LEDs. You sit or stand near it so that it covers the area you want to focus on. At that range the LEDs are bright, much brighter than a lamp across the room. The published numbers show how much the distance matters. The FX300 lists 220 mW/cm² at 1 inch, 83.5 at 6 inches and 43.3 at 12 inches. The FX500 lists 94 at 6 inches and 73.8 at 12 inches. The closer you are, the stronger the light. Staring into a bright source from a short distance is uncomfortable for anyone, and AWA guidance is to avoid it.
Reason two: you cannot see near infrared
AWA panels use two kinds of LED, 660nm red and 850nm near infrared. You can see the red ones. You cannot see the 850nm ones, apart from a faint dull glow some of them show at the very edge of their spread. That matters because people judge how strong a light is by how bright it looks. With near infrared that shortcut fails. A near infrared LED can be fully on while it looks dark, so your eyes give you no useful warning. Our guide to 660nm and 850nm explains the two wavelengths in more detail.
Reason three: red looks dimmer than it is
The eye is much less sensitive to deep red than to other colors. On the standard daylight sensitivity curve, light at 660nm registers at about 0.061 compared with 0.265 for light at 630nm, relative to green at 555nm. In practice a 660nm LED can look weak and still be putting out plenty of power. Again, how bright it looks is not a reliable guide, which is why the rule is based on the instruction and not on how comfortable it feels in the moment.
Reason four: a rule you always follow is easier than a rule you judge each time
If the instruction were "protect your eyes unless it seems dim," you would judge every session by cues that do not work for near infrared. A fixed habit is simpler: goggles on, eyes closed, no looking at the LEDs.
What to do with each type of AWA device
| Device | What the product page says | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Panels: FX300 and FX500 | Both pages list goggles among the items in the box | Put the goggles on before you switch the panel on, keep your eyes closed, and do not look at the LEDs |
| Face masks: LX300 and LX500 | Both pages describe an eye shielded mask design | Follow the manual for how to position the mask and for any extra directions on the blue mode |
| Belt and slippers | Wearables that sit against the body, not the face | Do not point them at your eyes or anyone else's, and follow the user guide |
| 3 in 1 torch | A small handheld with red, near infrared and blue modes | Keep it away from the eyes, and follow the manual for each mode |
If a product page and a manual ever differ, follow the manual. It is written for the exact device in your hands.
A simple routine for a panel session
- Read the manual once, start to finish, before the first session.
- Place the panel and check the distance you plan to use. The irradiance by distance chart shows how output changes with distance.
- Put the goggles on before you switch the panel on, so the LEDs are never lit while your eyes are uncovered.
- Close your eyes and settle in. Set the built in timer for the session length your manual or product page lists.
- When the timer ends, switch the panel off, then take the goggles off.
Goggles on first and off last keeps the habit simple.
Questions that come up
Can I keep my eyes open if the panel is further away?
We do not know of any distance listed for AWA devices at which looking at the LEDs is fine, and we do not suggest one. Distance changes how strong the light is, but the instruction is the same. Keep your eyes closed and wear the goggles.
Are sunglasses or my regular glasses enough?
AWA guidance is to use the goggles that come with the device. Ordinary glasses and sunglasses are made for other jobs, and we do not make claims about how they work with red or near infrared light.
What if the panel is aimed at my body and I am facing away from it?
Keep the same habit. Panels are bright and it is easy to glance at one while you adjust it or turn around. The goggles on, eyes closed routine means you do not have to think about where you are looking.
Does this change with a face mask?
The mask pages describe an eye shielded design, which is built into the shape of the mask. Even so, follow the manual for how to wear it and for what to do with each mode. Our guide to eye area safety, fit and shields goes through the fit questions in more detail.
What about other people and pets in the room?
A lit panel is a bright light for anyone who looks at it, so switch it off before anyone else walks in front of it. We cover household basics, including pets, in a separate guide on eye safety around pets.
Common mistakes
- Switching the panel on first and putting the goggles on afterward.
- Judging how safe a session is by how bright the light looks. Near infrared is invisible.
- Looking at the panel to check that it is working. Use the indicator and the timer instead.
- Moving closer without thinking about it. Output rises sharply at short range.
- Skipping the goggles because a session is short.
Before you use any light device: read the label, follow the device manual, and use eye protection as directed. Ask a doctor or other qualified professional first if you have a medical question, take medications, are pregnant, or have light sensitivity.
Related guides
- Do you need eye protection for red light therapy?
- Infrared light device safety basics
- AWA FX300 and FX500 irradiance specs
- How to calculate your dose
- The Learning Center
Device pages
Read the full page and label for each device before you use it: AWA FX300 panel, AWA FX500 panel, AWA LX500 face mask. You can also browse the panels collection or all AWA red light therapy devices.
Frequently asked questions
Red light therapy: should my eyes be open or closed?
Follow the manual. Keep your eyes closed, wear the goggles that come with the device, and never look directly at the LEDs.
Why not look at the LEDs?
The LEDs are bright at close range, and near infrared light is invisible, so your eyes cannot tell you how much light is reaching them. A fixed habit is safer than a judgment.
Do AWA panels come with goggles?
The FX300 and FX500 product pages list goggles among the items in the box. Check your manual for how to use them.
Is it fine to open my eyes for a moment?
We do not suggest it. AWA product pages do not list a distance at which looking at the LEDs is fine, so keep your eyes closed and the goggles on for the whole session.
Who should ask a doctor first?
Anyone with an eye condition, a medical condition, regular medication, pregnancy or light sensitivity should ask a doctor or other qualified professional before using a light device.
How we create this guide
AWA sells red light therapy devices. We write these guides to explain how devices work and how to choose and use one. This is general information, not medical advice. Read each product page and label. See our editorial standards.