Repeated low-level red light (RLRL) therapy is a new method being explored to help manage myopia, or nearsightedness. While spending time outdoors has always been recommended to prevent myopia, recent studies suggest that RLRL might also be an efficient alternative.

What is Myopia?

Myopia, or nearsightedness, is a common vision problem where distant objects appear blurry, but close objects can be seen clearly. This happens because the eye grows too long or the lens is too thick, causing light to focus in front of the retina instead of directly on it. Myopia can get worse over time, and without management, it can lead to more serious vision problems.

How Does Red-Light Therapy Work?

Red light, which falls within a specific range of visible light (600-700 nm), has the unique ability to affect the energy-producing parts of our cells. It has been used to treat skin and bone issues and is now being tested for its benefits in eye health.

In a healthy eye, light focuses directly onto the retina at the back of the eye. However, in myopia, light focuses in front of the retina because the eye becomes too long. This causes changes in the eye’s structure, which can lead to worsened myopia. Red-light therapy is thought to help by improving the health of the tissues in the eye, especially in areas like the retina, which might help slow myopia from getting worse.

How Effective is Red-Light Therapy for Myopia Control?

Research shows that repeated low-level red light therapy can help slow the progression of myopia in children and even reduce the chances of myopia developing in children who are at risk.

One study in 2019 showed that children who received RLRL therapy had a slower increase in their eye length compared to those who wore regular glasses. Specifically, the therapy slowed down eye growth by 69%, which is a significant improvement. Another study found that RLRL therapy reduced the chance of myopia developing in at-risk children by about 33% over one year.

Even more promising, some studies have shown that RLRL therapy doesn’t just slow down the growth of the eye, but in some cases, it can actually help reverse it slightly. This is important because the lengthening of the eye is the main reason myopia worsens over time.

What Does This Mean for You?

If you or your child are struggling with myopia, RLRL therapy might be an option to consider. It has shown promise in helping slow down or even reverse the progression of myopia, especially in younger children. However, more research is needed to fully understand its long-term effects.

Talk to your eye care professional to see if RLRL therapy could be a helpful part of your or your child’s myopia management plan.

References

1. He M, Xiang F, Zeng Y, Mai J, Chen Q, Zhang J, et al. Effect of Time Spent Outdoors at School on the Development of Myopia Among Children in China: A Randomized Clinical Trial. JAMA. 2015 Sep 15;314(11):1142.

2. He X, Sankaridurg P, Wang J, Chen J, Naduvilath T, He M, et al. Time Outdoors in Reducing Myopia. Ophthalmology. 2022 Nov;129(11):1245–54.

3. Eppenberger LS, Grzybowski A, Schmetterer L, Ang M. Myopia Control: Are We Ready for an Evidence Based Approach? Ophthalmol Ther. 2024 Jun;13(6):1453–77.

4. Wu H, Zhang G, Shen M, Xu R, Wang P, Guan Z, et al. Assessment of Choroidal Vascularity and Choriocapillaris Blood Perfusion in Anisomyopic Adults by SS-OCT/OCTA. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci. 2021 Jan 4;62(1):8.

5. Wu H, Chen W, Zhao F, Zhou Q, Reinach PS, Deng L, et al. Scleral hypoxia is a target for myopia control. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2018 Jul 24;115(30):E7091–100.

6. Jiang Y, Zhu Z, Tan X, Kong X, Zhong H, Zhang J, et al. Effect of Repeated Low-Level Red-Light Therapy for Myopia Control in Children. Ophthalmology. 2022 May;129(5):509–19.

7. He X, Wang J, Zhu Z, Xiang K, Zhang X, Zhang B, et al. Effect of Repeated Low-level Red Light on Myopia Prevention Among Children in China With Premyopia: A Randomized Clinical Trial. JAMA Netw Open. 2023 Apr 26;6(4):e239612.

8. Wang W, Jiang Y, Zhu Z, Zhang S, Xuan M, Tan X, et al. Axial Shortening in Myopic Children after Repeated Low-Level Red-Light Therapy: Post Hoc Analysis of a Randomized Trial. Ophthalmol Ther. 2023 Apr;12(2):1223–37.

9. Xuan M, Zhu Z, Jiang Y, Wang W, Zhang J, Xiong R, et al. Longitudinal Changes in Choroidal Structure Following Repeated Low-Level Red-Light Therapy for Myopia Control: Secondary Analysis of a Randomized Controlled Trial. Asia-Pac J Ophthalmol. 2023 Jul;12(4):377–83.

10. Xu Y, Cui L, Kong M, Li Q, Feng X, Feng K, et al. Repeated Low-Level Red Light Therapy for Myopia Control in High Myopia Children and Adolescents. Ophthalmology. 2024 Jun;S016164202400318X.