RLRL therapy shows promise in slowing pediatric myopia progression

In patients with pediatric myopia, repeated low-level red-light (RLRL) therapy increases choroidal vessel volume and thickness, potentially lessening myopia progression, according to a study.

In the study, 44 children with myopia underwent RLRL therapy at home twice per day for 5 days per week, with each session lasting 3 minutes. Children were assessed at baseline, 1 month, and 3 months.

The study found that RLRL therapy significantly increased subfoveal choroidal thickness over 3 months (P = 0.001) and reduced axial length (P = 0.002). While a marginal regression in spherical equivalent was observed (P = 0.055), significant increases in choroidal vessel volume and thickness were noted, with stronger positive correlations seen further from the fovea.

The researchers concluded that RLRL therapy holds potential for managing pediatric myopia by enhancing choroidal vessel volume and thickness, which may help slow myopia progression.

Reference
Wang H, Zhong H, Zhang J, et al. Impact of Repeated Low-Level Red-Light Exposure on Choroidal Thickness and Blood Flow in Pediatric Patients: A SS-OCTA Study. Photodiagnosis Photodyn Ther. 2024;104412. doi: 10.1016/j.pdpdt.2024.104412. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 39579842.