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Low-intensity, long-wavelength red light slows the progression of myopia in children: an Eastern China-based cohort
Insights
Low-intensity, long-wavelength red light therapy (LLRT) slowed myopia progression in children. This treatment reduced axial growth and increased choroidal thickness, indicating potential for myopia control.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Biomedical Optics
- Pediatric Medicine
Background:
- Myopia progression is a significant concern in pediatric eye care.
- Current myopia control strategies have varying efficacy and side effect profiles.
- Low-intensity, long-wavelength red light therapy (LLRT) presents a novel approach for myopia management.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the efficacy of LLRT in inhibiting myopia progression in children.
- To assess the impact of LLRT on refractive error and axial length changes.
- To investigate changes in choroidal thickness associated with LLRT treatment.
Main Methods:
- A retrospective study comparing 105 myopic children treated with LLRT (0.4 mW, 635 nm, twice daily) to 56 control subjects.
- Participants were followed for 9 months, with examinations every 3 months.
- Spherical equivalent refractive error (SER) and axial length (AL) were primary outcome measures.
Main Results:
- LLRT group showed significantly slower myopia progression (mean SER -2.87 D) compared to controls (-3.57 D) at 9 months (p < 0.001).
- Axial length increased less in the LLRT group (0.06 mm) versus the control group (0.26 mm) (p < 0.001).
- Subfoveal choroidal thickness increased significantly in the LLRT group (p < 0.001).
Conclusions:
- Repetitive LLRT is associated with slower myopia progression and reduced axial elongation in children.
- LLRT demonstrates potential as a therapeutic intervention for managing pediatric myopia.
- Further validation through randomized controlled trials is warranted to confirm these findings.
Purpose:
To determine the effect of low-intensity, long-wavelength red light therapy (LLRT) on the inhibition of myopia progression in children.
Methods:
A retrospective study was conducted. One hundred and five myopic children (spherical equivalent refractive error [SER] -3.09 ± 1.74 dioptres [D]; mean age, 9.19 ± 2.40 years) who underwent LLRT treatment (power 0.4 mW, wavelength 635 nm) twice per day for 3 min each session, with at least a 4-h interval between sessions, and a control group of 56 myopic children (SER -3.04 ± 1.66 D; mean age, 8.62 ± 2.45 years) were evaluated. Both groups wore single-vision distance spectacles. Each child returned for a follow-up examination every 3 months after the initial measurements for a total of 9 months.
Results:
At 9 months, the mean SER in the LLRT group was -2.87 ± 1.89 D, significantly greater than that of the control group (-3.57 ± 1.49 D, p < 0.001). Axial length (AL) changes were -0.06 ± 0.19 mm and 0.26 ± 0.15 mm in the LLRT group and control group (p < 0.001), respectively. The subfoveal choroidal thickness changed by 45.32 ± 30.88 μm for children treated with LLRT at the 9-month examination (p < 0.001). Specifically, a substantial hyperopic shift (0.31 ± 0.24 D and 0.20 ± 0.14 D, respectively, p = 0.02) was found in the 8-14 year olds compared with 4-7 year old children. The decrease in AL in subjects with baseline AL >24 mm was -0.08 ± 0.19 mm, significantly greater than those with a baseline AL ≤24 mm (-0.04 ± 0.18 mm, p = 0.03).
Conclusions:
Repetitive exposure to LLRT therapy was associated with slower myopia progression and reduced axial growth after short durations of treatment. These results require further validation in randomised controlled trials.
