The Effect of Repeated Low-Level Red-Light Therapy on Myopia Control and Choroid.

Area of Science:

• Ophthalmology
• Biomedical Engineering
• Vision Science

Background:

• Myopia, a common refractive error, poses a significant public health challenge.
• Current myopia control strategies have limitations, necessitating novel therapeutic approaches.
• Understanding the ocular effects of light-based therapies is crucial for developing effective interventions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the long-term impact of repeated low-level red light (RLRL) therapy on key myopia indicators: axial length (AL) and spherical equivalent (SE).
• To assess the effects of RLRL therapy on choroidal parameters, including choroidal thickness (CT), choroidal vascularity (CV), and choriocapillaris luminal area (CLA).

Main Methods:

• A study involving 208 myopic eyes, divided into an RLRL therapy group (100 eyes) and a control group (108 eyes).
• One-year follow-up to monitor changes in AL and SE for both groups.
• Choroidal imaging was performed on the RLRL group to assess CT, CV, and CLA before and after therapy.

Main Results:

• The RLRL group showed a decrease in AL at 3 and 6 months, returning to baseline at 12 months, while the control group exhibited a significant AL increase over the year.
• The RLRL group experienced a significant SE increase throughout the follow-up, contrasting with a decrease in the control group.
• Significant improvements in CT, CV, and CLA were observed in the RLRL group, with strong correlations between these choroidal changes and AL/SE modifications.

Conclusions:

• RLRL therapy effectively improved choroidal blood perfusion and circulation, potentially explaining the observed modulation of myopia progression.
• The study suggests RLRL therapy as a promising novel method for myopia control.
• Short-term responses to RLRL therapy can predict long-term outcomes, aiding in treatment efficacy assessment.