Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 21, 2025
Binocular Dynamic Visual Acuity in Eyeglass-Corrected Myopic Patients
Published on: March 29, 2022
Efficacy of Myopia Prevention in At-Risk Children: A Systematic Review and Network Meta-Analysis
Ssu-Hsien Lee1, Bor-Yuan Tseng1, Jen-Hung Wang2
1School of Medicine, Tzu Chi University, Hualien 970, Taiwan.
Insights
Low-level red light therapy and low-dose atropine are effective myopia prevention methods for children. These strategies, along with outdoor activities, offer safe and moderate benefits in preventing myopia progression.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Preventive Medicine
- Pediatric Health
Background:
- Myopia is a growing global health concern in children.
- Early intervention is crucial for preventing myopia progression and associated risks.
- Identifying effective myopia prevention strategies is essential for pediatric eye care.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the efficacy of various myopia prevention methods in children without pre-existing myopia.
- To compare the effectiveness of different interventions using a network meta-analysis.
- To identify the most effective and safe strategies for myopia prevention in pediatric populations.
Main Methods:
- Conducted a network meta-analysis following PRISMA-NMA guidelines.
- Searched PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane CENTRAL for relevant randomized controlled trials.
- Analyzed primary outcomes (refraction, axial length) and secondary outcomes (myopia incidence, adverse events).
Main Results:
- Low-level red light therapy and low-dose atropine demonstrated the highest efficacy in reducing refractive progression and axial elongation.
- Both low-level red light therapy and low-dose atropine significantly lowered myopia incidence.
- Outdoor activities and myopia awareness programs showed moderate efficacy with minor, self-limiting adverse events.
Conclusions:
- Low-level red light therapy and low-dose atropine are the most effective and generally safe myopia prevention strategies for at-risk children.
- Outdoor activities offer a beneficial non-invasive approach with moderate efficacy.
- These findings support evidence-based interventions for myopia control in pediatric populations.
Abstract:
Objectives: To evaluate the efficacy of myopia prevention methods in children without pre-existing myopia. Methods: A network meta-analysis was conducted following the PRISMA-NMA guidelines. Comprehensive searches were performed in PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane CENTRAL databases. The analysis focused on randomized controlled trials evaluating myopia prevention strategies in children without prior myopia. Primary outcomes included annual changes in refraction and axial length, while secondary outcomes encompassed myopia incidence and adverse events. Effect sizes were reported as risk ratios (RR) or mean differences (MD) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Data synthesis utilized a random-effects model under a frequentist framework, with intervention efficacy ranked by P-scores. Study quality was assessed using the Cochrane risk-of-bias tool, and robustness was ensured via sensitivity and consistency analyses. Results: Low-level red light therapy and low-dose atropine were the most effective interventions for reducing refractive progression (MD: 0.48 D, 95% CI: 0.38-0.59 D; MD: 0.33 D, 95% CI: 0.23-0.43 D) and axial elongation (MD: -0.23 mm, 95% CI: -0.27 to -0.19 mm; MD: -0.12 mm, 95% CI: -0.16 to -0.08 mm). In addition, both significantly lowered myopia incidence (RR: 0.59, 95% CI: 0.45-0.79; RR: 0.55, 95% CI: 0.41-0.75). Outdoor activities and myopia awareness programs demonstrated moderate efficacy. Adverse events, including photophobia and dry eyes, were minor and self-limiting, with no serious complications reported. Conclusions: Low-level red light therapy and low-dose atropine are the most effective, generally safe strategies for preventing myopia in at-risk children without myopia, while a non-invasive approach, outdoor activities, provides moderate benefits.
