Light exposure therapy for myopia control: a systematic review and Bayesian network meta-analysis

Area of Science:

• Ophthalmology
• Light Therapy
• Myopia Control

Background:

• Myopia, or nearsightedness, is a growing global health concern in children.
• Current myopia control strategies have varying efficacy and potential side effects.
• Investigating the impact of different light wavelengths on myopia progression is crucial for developing novel interventions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To systematically review and compare the efficacy of different light wavelengths for myopia control in children.
• To rank the effectiveness of red, violet, and full-spectrum light in slowing myopia progression using Bayesian network meta-analysis.

Main Methods:

• A systematic literature search was conducted on PubMed, EMBASE, and MEDLINE for clinical and animal studies.
• Bayesian network meta-analysis (Bayesian NMA) was performed on 12 clinical studies, including 8 randomized controlled trials (RCTs).
• Outcomes measured included axial length (AL) elongation and spherical equivalent (SE) refraction progression.

Main Results:

• Red light significantly slowed AL elongation (MD: -0.38 mm/year) and SE refraction progression (0.72D/year) compared to controls in all clinical studies.
• These significant effects of red light were consistent when analyzing only RCTs (AL: -0.28 mm/year; SE: 0.57D/year).
• No other tested light wavelengths demonstrated statistically significant myopia control effects.

Conclusions:

• The efficacy of light wavelengths for myopia control differs significantly.
• Red light therapy emerges as the most effective intervention for controlling myopia progression in children.
• Further research may explore the mechanisms and optimal parameters for red light therapy in myopia management.