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Transient ocular effects of red light exposure in young adults.

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Title: Transient ocular effects of red light exposure in young adults.
Authors: Priscilla JJ; University of Houston College of Optometry, 4401 MLK Blvd, Houston, TX 77204, USA., Ostrin LA; University of Houston College of Optometry, 4401 MLK Blvd, Houston, TX 77204, USA. Electronic address: Lostrin@central.uh.edu.
Source: Journal of optometry [J Optom] 2026 Jul-Sep; Vol. 19 (3), pp. 100594. Date of Electronic Publication: 2025 Dec 22.
Publication Type: Journal Article
Language: English
Journal Info: Publisher: Elsevier Doyma Country of Publication: Spain NLM ID: 101482903 Publication Model: Print-Electronic Cited Medium: Internet ISSN: 1989-1342 (Electronic) Linking ISSN: 19891342 NLM ISO Abbreviation: J Optom Subsets: MEDLINE
Imprint Name(s): Publication: - : Barcelona : Elsevier Doyma
Original Publication: 2008- : Madrid : Colegio Nacional de Ópticos-Optometristas de España
MeSH Terms: Myopia*/radiotherapy , Choroid*/radiation effects , Choroid*/blood supply , Choroid*/diagnostic imaging , Red Light*, Axial Length, Eye/radiation effects ; Humans ; Adult ; Female ; Male ; Tomography, Optical Coherence ; Young Adult ; Biometry ; Healthy Volunteers
Abstract: Purpose: Red laser therapy has recently gained attention as a potential myopia treatment in children. However, concerns regarding the safety of directing red laser at the fovea have raised caution. As a result, there is growing interest in identifying alternative, safer methods of red light administration for myopia control. This study investigated whether short-term exposure to red LED light induces ocular vascular changes similar to those previously reported with red laser exposure.
Methods: Twenty healthy adults (28 ± 5 years) participated in four experimental sessions each: (1) morning red LED exposure, (2) evening red LED exposure (both 5 minutes), (3) morning control, and (4) evening control. Red light (λ = 626 nm, irradiance = 0.11 mW/cm²) was delivered to the right eye using a Ganzfeld dome. Biometry, optical coherence tomography (OCT), and OCT angiography (OCTA) were performed at baseline and at 5, 30, and 60 minutes post-exposure. Changes were analyzed using two-way repeated measures ANOVAs.
Results: There were no significant differences in axial length, choroidal thickness, or perfusion density of the superficial or deep vascular complexes between red light exposure and control conditions at 5, 30, or 60 minutes in the morning or evening (P > 0.05 for all).
Conclusion: Findings show that short-term exposure to red LED light does not induce significant transient changes in ocular vascular structures. While some studies have related short term choroidal thickening or increased blood flow to longer term myopia control efficacy, it cannot be concluded from the current study whether red LEDs would be effective.
(Copyright © 2025 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier España, S.L.U. All rights reserved.)
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Grant Information: R01 EY030193 United States EY NEI NIH HHS
Contributed Indexing: Keywords: Choroidal thickness; Myopia; Red light therapy; Retinal imaging
Entry Date(s): Date Created: 20251223 Date Completed: 20260703 Latest Revision: 20260813
Update Code: 20260813
PubMed Central ID: PMC13343363
DOI: 10.1016/j.optom.2025.100594
PMID: 41436324
Database: MEDLINE
Description
ISSN:1989-1342
DOI:10.1016/j.optom.2025.100594