Long-Wavelength-Filtered Light Transiently Inhibits Negative Lens-Induced Axial Eye Growth in the Chick Myopia Model

Eye growth and myopia development in chicks, and some other animal models, can be suppressed by rearing under near-monochromatic, short-wavelength blue light. We aimed to determine whether similar effects could be achieved using glass filters that transmit a broader range of short and middle wavelengths.

On day 6 or 7 post-hatch, 169 chicks were assigned to one of three monocular lens conditions (-10 D, +10 D, plano) and reared for 7 or 10 days under one of four 201-lux lighting conditions: (1) B410 long-wavelength-filtered light, (2) B460 long-wavelength-filtered light, (3) Y48 short-wavelength-filtered light, or (4) HA50 broadband light.

At 7 days, B410 (but not B460) long-wavelength-filtered light had significantly inhibited negative lens induced axial growth relative to Y48 short-wavelength-filtered light (mean difference in experimental eye = -0.249 mm; P = 0.006) and HA50 broadband light (mean difference = -0.139 mm; P = 0.038). B410 filters also inhibited the negative lens-induced increase in vitreous chamber depth relative to all other filter conditions. Corresponding changes in refraction did not occur, and biometric measurements in a separate cohort of chicks suggested that the axial dimension changes were transient and not maintained at 10 days.

Chromatic effects on eye growth can be achieved using filters that transmit a broad range of wavelengths even in the presence of strong cues for myopia development.

Broad-wavelength filters that provide a more "naturalistic" visual experience relative to monochromatic light have potential to alter myopia development, although the effects shown here were modest and transient and require exploration in further species.