Extending Line Follower Range

My team is looking to use this line follower for the tape on the ground. This model, as well as the other sensors I’ve found, have a very short range (8mm to 12mm). Are there any ways to increase the range of the sensor? Also, are there any options for line followers with higher range? Thank you.

I suspect (but have never tried) that you could use a brighter LED of the same frequency with the same sensor.

More simply, some of these go up to 80mm: