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Two-year outcomes of repeated red light therapy in premyopic children: sustained efficacy and rebound effects
Guihua Liu1, Na Li1, Hua Rong1
1Tianjin Key Laboratory of Retinal Functions and Diseases, Tianjin Branch of National Clinical Research Center for Ocular Disease, Eye Institute and School of Optometry, Tianjin Medical University Eye Hospital, Tianjin, China.
Insights
Repeated red light therapy (RRLT) effectively slowed myopia progression in children over two years. However, axial length elongation accelerated after treatment cessation, indicating a rebound effect.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Pediatric eye care
- Myopia control
Background:
- Premyeopia is a growing concern in children.
- Early intervention is crucial to prevent myopia progression.
- Understanding long-term treatment effects is essential.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the 2-year effectiveness of repeated red light therapy (RRLT) for premyopia prevention.
- To investigate the rebound effect of RRLT after treatment cessation.
- To evaluate changes in axial length (AL), spherical equivalent refraction (SER), and subfoveal choroidal thickness (SChT).
Main Methods:
- 108 premyopic children were randomized into RRLT or control groups for 24 months.
- RRLT involved two 3-minute sessions daily.
- A subgroup of RRLT participants underwent a 1-year washout period.
Main Results:
- The RRLT group showed significantly less AL elongation (0.26 mm vs. 0.43 mm) and SER progression (-0.21 D vs. -0.66 D) over 2 years.
- RRLT also resulted in less subfoveal choroidal thickness thinning compared to controls.
- Following RRLT cessation, the washout group experienced accelerated AL elongation and SChT thinning.
Conclusions:
- Two-year RRLT effectively slowed AL elongation and SER progression in premyopic children.
- A significant rebound effect on axial length growth was observed after 1 year of RRLT cessation.
- RRLT demonstrates potential for myopia control, but long-term effects and rebound warrant further investigation.
Background:
To evaluate the long-term prevention effectiveness and rebound effect of repeated red light therapy (RRLT) in children with premyopia over 2 years.
Methods:
A total of 108 premyopic children (cycloplegia spherical equivalent refraction (SER): -0.50 to +0.75 D) were enrolled and followed for 24 months. Participants were randomly assigned to the RRLT or control groups. The RRLT was administered two times per day for 3 min per session, with at least 4-hour interval. At the beginning of the second year, participants receiving RRLT were further randomised into continued treatment and washout subgroups. Axial length (AL), SER and subfoveal choroidal thickness (SChT) were measured.
Results:
Over 2 years, the RRLT group showed significantly smaller AL elongation (0.26 mm; 95% CI 0.18 to 0.35 mm) and SER progression (-0.21 D; 95% CI -0.35 to -0.08 D) compared with the controls (AL: 0.43 mm; 95% CI 0.36 to 0.49 mm; SER: -0.66 D; 95% CI -0.79 to -0.52 D). The RRLT group also demonstrated significantly less SChT thinning (-2.44 µm; 95% CI -16.11 to 11.23 µm) than the controls (-44.12 µm; 95% CI -53.05 to -35.19 µm). After RRLT cessation in the second year, the washout subgroup exhibited significantly faster AL elongation and more SChT thinning than the controls, with no significant difference in SER progression.
Conclusions:
The 2-year RRLT intervention effectively retarded AL elongation and SER progression in premyopic children by 0.17 mm and -0.45 D, respectively. Notably, a significant rebound effect was observed in AL growth following 1-year RRLT cessation.
