Violet Light Exposure Can Be a Preventive Strategy Against Myopia Progression

Area of Science:

• Ophthalmology
• Genetics
• Environmental Health

Background:

• Myopia prevalence is rising globally, with outdoor activity recognized as a crucial protective factor.
• Understanding the specific environmental elements within outdoor light is essential for effective myopia control strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the role of violet light (VL) in suppressing myopia progression.
• To identify the molecular mechanisms, including gene expression, underlying VL's effect on myopia.
• To evaluate the clinical efficacy of VL exposure through different eyewear in myopic children.

Main Methods:

• Utilized a chick myopia model to assess the impact of VL on axial length (AL) elongation.
• Performed expression microarray analyses to identify genes modulated by VL exposure, comparing VL and blue light effects on chick chorioretinal tissues.
• Conducted a retrospective clinical study comparing AL elongation in myopic children using eyeglasses (VL-blocked) versus VL-transmitting and partially VL-blocking contact lenses.

Main Results:

• VL exposure significantly suppressed AL elongation in the chick myopia model.
• VL upregulated the expression of the myopia-suppressive gene EGR1 more effectively than blue light in chick chorioretinal tissues.
• Clinical data indicated that VL-transmitting contact lenses provided the greatest suppression of myopia progression compared to VL-blocked or partially blocked options.

Conclusions:

• Violet light (360-400nm) is identified as a significant environmental factor that suppresses myopia progression.
• Upregulation of the EGR1 gene is a key mechanism through which VL exerts its myopia-controlling effects.
• Promoting exposure to violet light, potentially through specialized eyewear, offers a promising preventive strategy against the increasing prevalence of myopia.