Three-year Comparative Efficacy and Safety of Repeated Low-level Red-light Therapy and Orthokeratology for Myopia Control in Children
Nie A, Xie J, Zou Y, Yang MM, Chen Y, He M
Ophthalmology and therapy · 0 citations
How it was studied
- Design
- Controlled clinical trial (classified by our AI screen)
- Studied in
- People
- Main outcome
- Health markers and function
Who paid for it
- Funding
- Independent funding
- University or hospital
- Hong Kong Polytechnic University
- University or hospital
- PolyU - Rohto Centre of Research Excellence for Eye Care
- Grants
- Hong Kong Polytechnic University (P0046333)
Based on 2 listed funder(s).
Publication
- Published
- 2026-09-10 · Ophthalmol Ther
- Publisher
- Adis, Springer Healthcare
- Cited
- 0 citations · more than 84% of similar papers · 0.0× the field average
- References
- 25 works
- Access
- Open access (journal) · CC-BY-NC
- Research areas
- Ophthalmology and Visual Impairment Studies · Corneal surgery and disorders · Retinopathy of Prematurity Studies
- Keywords
- Orthokeratology, Visual acuity, Adverse effect, Eye disease, Refractive error, Prospective cohort study
6 authors
From HK, CN
- 聂爱芹Hong Kong Polytechnic University; Southern University of Science and Technology; Southern Medical University Shenzhen Hospital; Shenzhen Second People's Hospital
- Jing XieLonggang Central Hospital
- Yingshi ZouSouthern University of Science and Technology; Southern Medical University Shenzhen Hospital; Shenzhen Second People's Hospital
- Ming-Ming YangSouthern University of Science and Technology; Southern Medical University Shenzhen Hospital; Shenzhen Second People's Hospital
- Yanxian Chen · correspondingHong Kong Polytechnic University
- Mingguang He · correspondingHong Kong Polytechnic University
Abstract
Introduction
Repeated low-level red-light therapy (RLRL) has emerged as a noninvasive intervention for myopia control in children. This study compared the 3-year efficacy and safety of RLRL and orthokeratology (OK).
Methods
This retrospective study included 86 children treated with RLRL (n = 40) or OK (n = 46). The RLRL group received two red-light treatment sessions daily and wore single-vision spectacles (SVS), whereas the OK group wore orthokeratology lenses overnight. Axial length (AL) and safety outcomes were assessed over 3 years. The measured baseline characteristics were comparable between the groups.
Results
At 3 years, during active treatment, the mean change in AL from baseline was 0.00 ± 0.28 mm in the RLRL group and 0.45 ± 0.20 mm in the OK group (P < 0.001). Axial shortening, defined as an AL reduction of ≥ 0.05 mm from baseline, was more frequent in the RLRL group than in the OK group (40.00% vs. 2.17%). Complete myopia control, defined as axial elongation of < 0.10 mm/year, was also more frequent in the RLRL group at 3 years (82.5% vs. 37.0%). No serious treatment-related adverse events were reported in either group. One participant in the RLRL group showed reversible retinal hyperreflectivity on optical coherence tomography, without associated visual acuity loss or interruption of treatment.
Conclusion
During active treatment, RLRL was associated with less axial elongation than OK over 3 years in this cohort. Both treatments showed acceptable safety profiles. Whether the observed between-group differences persist after treatment cessation remains unknown.
Abstract via Europe PMC. Copyright remains with the authors or publisher (CC BY-NC).
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