Low-level red-light therapy for myopia control in children: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Amaral DC, Batista S, Dos Santos-Neto E, Manso JEF, Rodrigues MPM, Monteiro MLR, Alves MR, Louzada RN
Clinics (Sao Paulo, Brazil) · 18 citations
How it was studied
- Design
- Meta-analysis (indexed by PubMed)
- Studied in
- People
- Main outcome
- Health markers and function
Who paid for it
- Funding
- Independent funding
Based on full-text disclosure statement.
Publication
- Published
- 2024-01-01 · Clinics (Sao Paulo) · vol. 79 · p. 100375
- Publisher
- Elsevier BV
- Cited
- 20 citations · more than 89% of similar papers · 2.2× the field average
- References
- 23 works
- Access
- Open access (journal) · CC-BY
- Research areas
- Ophthalmology and Visual Impairment Studies · Laser Applications in Dentistry and Medicine · Corneal surgery and disorders
- Keywords
- Meta-analysis, Medicine, Light therapy, MEDLINE, Psychology, Internal medicine, Political science
- MeSH
- humans, myopia, treatment outcome, adolescent, child, child, preschool, female, male, randomized controlled trials as topic, low-level light therapy
8 authors
From BR
- Dillan Cunha AmaralUniversidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro
- Sávio BatistaUniversidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro
- Edson dos Santos-NetoUniversidade de São Paulo
- José Eduardo Ferreira MansoUniversidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro
- Márcio Penha Morterá RodriguesUniversidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro
- Mário Luiz Ribeiro MonteiroUniversidade de São Paulo
Abstract
Introduction
Low-Level Red-Light (LLRL) Therapy is a safe and natural way to promote healing and reduce inflammation in the body. When it comes to treating myopia in children, LLRL therapy is recent, and its efficacy and safety still are not clear.
Methods
A systematic review and meta-analysis of the literature for LLRL was conducted in accordance with the PRISMA guidelines on November 5, 2022. Databases, including PUBMED, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, and Embase were queried. A meta-analysis of random effects was conducted. Inclusion criteria included Randomized Controlled Trials (RCTs) or observational studies where LLRL therapy was used in children (3‒15 years old) with myopia. Exclusion criteria were studies with other ocular abnormalities. Efficacy was evaluated through the mean change in Axial Length (AL) and cycloplegic Spherical Equivalent Error (SER), while safety was evaluated by monitoring adverse effects.
Results
A total of 5 final studies were included (4 RCTs, and 1 observational), in which 685 total patients were analyzed. The mean age was 9.7 ± 0.66 years, with 48,2% female patients. The number of eyes in the LRLL arm is 714 and, in the control, arm is 656. LLRL showed better results in SER and AL mean change (OR = 0.58; 95% CI 0.33 to 0.83; p < 0.00001, and MD -0.33; 95% CI -0.52 to -0.13; p = 0.001, respectively), in comparison to the control group. There was no significant difference in adverse effects between groups (MD = 5.76; 95% CI 0.66 to 50.14; p = 0.11).
Conclusion
LLRL therapy is a non-invasive, effective, and safe short-term treatment option; however, long-term evaluation, particularly in comparison to other therapies, requires additional investigation.
Abstract via Europe PMC. Copyright remains with the authors or publisher (CC BY).
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