Efficacy of repeated low-level red-light therapy for myopia management in children and adolescents: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Liu D, Yu T, Ma G, Wang J
BMC ophthalmology · 1 citation
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
- 2026-02-12 · BMC Ophthalmol · vol. 26 · issue 1
- Publisher
- BioMed Central
- Cited
- 1 citation · more than 82% of similar papers · 2.4× the field average
- References
- 41 works
- Access
- Open access (journal) · CC-BY-NC-ND
- Research areas
- Ophthalmology and Visual Impairment Studies · Laser Applications in Dentistry and Medicine · Retinopathy of Prematurity Studies
- Keywords
- Prospective cohort study, MEDLINE, Clinical trial, Systematic review, Alternative medicine, Register (sociolinguistics)
- MeSH
- humans, myopia, disease progression, refraction, ocular, treatment outcome, eyeglasses, adolescent, child, axial length, eye, low-level light therapy, red light
4 authors
From CN
- Dayue LiuXuzhou Medical College; Xuzhou No.1 People's Hospital
- Tao YuXuzhou Medical College; Xuzhou No.1 People's Hospital
- Guangcheng MaXuzhou Medical College; Xuzhou No.1 People's Hospital
- Yi-Xiang Wang · correspondingXuzhou Medical College; Xuzhou No.1 People's Hospital; Yangzhou University
Abstract
Background
To systematically evaluate the efficacy of repeated low-level red-light (RLRL) therapy, compared to single-vision spectacles (SVS), for controlling myopia progression in children and adolescents.
Methods
A comprehensive search of electronic databases, including PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, was conducted up to Sept 30, 2025 according to the inclusion and exclusion criteria. The change of axial length (AL), spherical equivalent refraction (SER) and subfoveal choroidal thickness (SFCT) were main outcomes. Pooled mean differences (MD) with 95% confidence interval (CI) were calculated and heterogeneity was quantified using I2.
Results
Fourteen randomized controlled trials involving 1,942 participants were included. The mean difference in AL change favored RLRL at 1 month (MD: -0.07 mm, 95% CI: -0.09 to -0.06, P < 0.00001), 3 months (MD: -0.15 mm, 95% CI: -0.18 to -0.11, P < 0.00001), 6 months (MD: -0.22 mm, 95% CI: -0.26 to -0.17, P < 0.00001), and 12 months (MD: -0.33 mm, 95% CI: -0.39 to -0.27, P < 0.00001). Similarly, RLRL significantly slowed SER progression at 3 months (MD: 0.17 D, 95% CI: 0.13 to 0.21, P < 0.00001), 6 months (MD: 0.38 D, 95% CI: 0.26 to 0.49, P < 0.00001), and 12 months (MD: 0.67 D, 95% CI: 0.53 to 0.82, P < 0.00001). Furthermore, RLRL induced a significant increase in SFCT at all time points (16.72 μm at 1 month; 19.46 μm at 3 months; 28.21 μm at 6 months; 30.86 μm at 12 months; all P < 0.00001). Heterogeneity was substantial for AL and SER outcomes but the treatment effect was consistently favorable.
Conclusion
In conclusion, this meta-analysis suggests that RLRL therapy maybe an effective intervention for slowing myopia progression in children and adolescents in the short to medium term. Based on current evidence, it appears to be a promising and generally well-tolerated treatment option. However, long-term safety, sustained efficacy, and optimal treatment protocols require further confirmation through extended follow-up studies.
Trial registration
The trial was registered with the International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (PROSPERO; registration ID: CRD420251139693).
Abstract via Europe PMC. Copyright remains with the authors or publisher (CC BY-NC-ND).
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