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Investigation of the Efficacy and Safety of 650 nm Low-Level Red Light for Myopia Control in Children: A Randomized
Lei Tian1,2, Kai Cao1, Dong-Li Ma2
1Beijing Institute of Ophthalmology, Beijing Tongren Hospital, Capital Medical University, No.17, Hougou Alley, Dongcheng District, Beijing, 100730, China.
Insights
Low-level red light therapy (LLRL) effectively slowed myopia progression in children aged 6-12 years over six months. This myopia control method showed no adverse effects, indicating a safe and promising treatment option.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Biomedical Optics
- Pediatric Health
Background:
- Myopia, or nearsightedness, is a growing public health concern in children.
- Effective myopia control strategies are crucial to prevent high myopia and associated ocular complications.
- Low-level red light (LLRL) therapy is being investigated as a novel approach for myopia management.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the 6-month efficacy of 650 nm LLRL in controlling myopia progression in children.
- To assess the safety profile of LLRL treatment for pediatric myopia control.
Main Methods:
- A single-center, single-masked randomized controlled trial was conducted.
- 224 children (aged 6-12 years) with myopia were randomized to receive either 650 nm LLRL treatment or serve as a control group.
- Primary outcomes measured were changes in cycloplegic spherical equivalent error (SER) and axial length (AL) over 6 months.
Main Results:
- LLRL treatment resulted in significantly slower axial length elongation compared to the control group (median change: -0.06 mm vs. 0.14 mm, p < 0.001).
- The LLRL group showed a trend towards hyperopic shift (median change: 0.125 D vs. -0.25 D, p < 0.001), indicating reduced myopia progression.
- A higher proportion of children in the LLRL group experienced a hyperopic shift (51.65% vs. 3.41%) and shortened axial length (63.74% vs. 2.27%) compared to controls.
Conclusions:
- 650 nm LLRL therapy demonstrated significant efficacy in slowing myopia progression in children aged 6-12 years.
- The treatment was found to be safe in the short term, with no observed adverse events.
- LLRL presents a promising, non-invasive option for pediatric myopia control.
Introduction:
To evaluate the 6-month efficacy and safety of 650 nm low-level red light (LLRL) for myopia control in children.
Methods:
This was a single-center, single-masked randomized controlled trial. A total of 224 children aged 6-12 years with spherical equivalent error (SER) of - 6 diopter (D) to - 0.5 D were enrolled, and were randomized to LLRL group or control group. Children in the LLRL group underwent treatment twice daily, each lasting for 3 min, there was an interval of at least 4 h between treatments. Children in both groups were allowed to wear single-vision spectacles; no additional intervention was given to the control. The primary outcomes included change in cycloplegic SER and change in axial length (AL) during 6 months.
Results:
The median 6-month changes in AL of the LLRL and control groups were - 0.06 mm (interquartile range, IQR - 0.15, 0) and 0.14 mm (IQR 0.07, 0.22), respectively. The difference between groups was significant (Z = 10.021, p < 0.001). The median 6-month changes in SER were 0.125 D (IQR 0, 0.375) and - 0.25 D (IQR - 0.5, 0) for the LLRL and control groups, respectively. The difference between groups was significant (Z = 8.827, p < 0.001). Compared with the control, the proportion of children with hyperopic shift in the LLRL group was higher (51.65% vs. 3.41%, p < 0.001), and the proportion of children with shortened AL in the LLRL group was higher (63.74% vs. 2.27%, p < 0.001). No adverse event was observed.
Conclusion:
650 nm LLRL significantly slowed down the myopia progression in children aged 6-12 years, and there was no observable side effect in the short term.
