If your child is on the verge of becoming nearsighted, a new study suggests a surprising tool might help: red light. Researchers tested repeated low-level red light therapy (RRLT) in 108 children with premyopia—eyes that are still normal but heading toward nearsightedness. Kids in the treatment group received two 3-minute sessions of red light each day, at least 4 hours apart. Over 24 months, their eyes lengthened less and their prescription changed more slowly compared to a control group. For example, the treated group's eyes grew only 0.26 mm on average, versus 0.43 mm in controls. Their nearsightedness progressed by -0.21 diopters, compared to -0.66 diopters in controls. The therapy also preserved the thickness of a layer behind the retina called the choroid, which thins in nearsighted eyes. But here's the catch: when some kids stopped the therapy, their eyes started growing faster again, and the choroid thinned more than in controls. This suggests the benefits may not last without continued treatment. The study is small and didn't report on side effects, so more research is needed. Still, for parents looking for ways to slow nearsightedness in kids, this early evidence points to a potential new option—with a warning about rebound.
Repeated red light therapy reduces axial length elongation in premyopic children over 24 monthsRed Light Therapy Slows Nearsightedness in Kids, But Rebound Risk Found
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This randomized controlled trial enrolled 108 premyopic children with cycloplegia spherical equivalent refraction between -0.50 and +0.75 D. Participants underwent 24.0 months of follow-up to evaluate sustained efficacy and rebound effects of the therapy. The study was conducted in an unspecified setting.
The intervention involved repeated red light therapy administered two times per day for 3 min per session, with at least 4-hour interval. The RRLT group showed significantly smaller axial length elongation compared with controls, with absolute numbers of 0.26 mm versus 0.43 mm. Spherical equivalent refraction progression was also reduced in the RRLT group at -0.21 D compared with -0.66 D in controls. Both outcomes indicate a reduction in myopia-related changes during the study period.
Safety data regarding adverse events, serious adverse events, and discontinuations were not reported. Subfoveal choroidal thickness thinning was significantly less in the RRLT group at -2.44 µm compared with -44.12 µm in controls. Washout subgroup analysis indicated faster axial length elongation and more choroidal thinning after cessation. Limitations were not reported in the study documentation. No adverse events were documented in the provided text.
Practice relevance was not reported. Clinicians should note the rebound effects in the washout subgroup when considering long-term management strategies for premyopia. Further research is needed to confirm long-term safety. Current evidence does not support definitive practice changes.
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