Duration-Dependent Efficacy and Clinical Safety of Repeated Low-Level Red-Light Therapy for Paediatric Myopia: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Lin LY, Hsu CH, Su H, Sun JW, Wu JS, Jeng WJ, Tsai CH, Yuliani FS, Lin SH
Clinical & experimental ophthalmology · 2 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
- 2026-03-18 · Clin Exp Ophthalmol · vol. 54 · issue 5 · pp. 630–652
- Publisher
- Wiley
- Cited
- 2 citations · more than 94% of similar papers · 5.0× the field average
- Impact
- Top 10% most cited in its field
- References
- 57 works
- Access
- Open access (hybrid journal) · CC-BY-NC-ND
- Research areas
- Ophthalmology and Visual Impairment Studies · Corneal surgery and disorders · Retinopathy of Prematurity Studies
- Keywords
- Patient safety, MEDLINE, Clinical trial, Adverse effect, Safety profile
- MeSH
- humans, myopia, refraction, ocular, treatment outcome, visual acuity, child, randomized controlled trials as topic, axial length, eye, low-level light therapy, red light
9 authors
From TW, ID
- Lee‐Yuan LinTaipei Medical University
- Cheng‐Hao HsuTaipei Medical University
- Hung Chang SuTaipei Medical University
- Ji SunTaipei Medical University
- Jie‐Syuan WuTaipei Medical University
- Wei‐Jung JengTaipei Medical University
Abstract
Background
Repeated low-level red-light (RLRL) therapy is a novel, non-invasive intervention for controlling paediatric myopia progression. Despite increasing clinical use, questions remain regarding the magnitude, durability, and safety of treatment effects. This study evaluated its efficacy and safety based on randomised controlled trial (RCT) evidence.
Methods
PubMed, Embase, and the Cochrane Library were searched through August 2025 for RCTs comparing RLRL with control in children (< 18 years). The primary outcome was spherical equivalent refraction (SER); secondary outcomes included axial length (AL), choroidal thickness (ChT), anterior chamber depth (ACD), central corneal thickness (CCT), lens thickness (LT), and uncorrected visual acuity (UCVA). Evidence certainty was assessed using the GRADE framework.
Results
Twenty-eight RCTs (3573 participants) were included. RLRL therapy achieved duration-dependent myopia control (p < 0.05), with pooled improvements versus control at 12 months of +0.68 D in SER, -0.30 mm in AL, and +26.7 μm in ChT. Subgroup analysis showed greater efficacy in children with higher baseline myopia (p < 0.0001), with comparable effects between 5- and 7-day regimens. UCVA was higher with RLRL therapy. ACD, CCT, and LT were unchanged. Reported adverse events were mild and transient, with no consistent structural or functional abnormalities described.
Conclusions
RLRL was associated with duration-dependent reductions in myopia progression up to 1 year. Reported structural parameters remained stable and adverse events were generally mild. Moderate-certainty evidence supports improvement in SER and ChT, whereas evidence for AL remains of lower certainty. Longer-term trials incorporating comprehensive retinal safety assessment are required.
Trial registration
PROSPERO CRD420251112677.
Abstract via Europe PMC. Copyright remains with the authors or publisher (CC BY-NC-ND).
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