Could Red-Light Therapy Change Myopia Care?

Across 28 trials, pediatric patients receiving therapy had less myopia progression over 12 months, though long-term risks remain under study.

By
Kerri Miller
April 8, 2026
4 min

MDSpire News

Objective:

To evaluate the effects of repeated low-level red-light therapy on myopia progression specifically in pediatric patients.

Key Findings:

At 12 months, improvement of 0.68 diopters in spherical equivalent refraction, indicating significant treatment efficacy.
Reduction of 0.30 mm in axial length, suggesting structural benefits.
Increase of nearly 27 µm in choroidal thickness, supporting the therapy's positive impact.
Treatment effects increased over time, with greater benefits in patients with higher baseline myopia, highlighting the therapy's potential.
No severe treatment-related adverse events reported, ensuring safety.

Interpretation:

Repeated low-level red-light therapy may effectively slow myopia progression in children, with increasing benefits over time and stable short-term structural outcomes.

Limitations:

Most trials conducted in China, limiting generalizability to other populations.
Follow-up limited to 12 months, leaving long-term efficacy and safety unclear.
No direct comparison with other interventions like atropine or orthokeratology, which is crucial for context.