Academic Journal
Efficacy of repeated low-level red-light therapy for myopia management in children and adolescents: a systematic review and meta-analysis.
| Τίτλος: | Efficacy of repeated low-level red-light therapy for myopia management in children and adolescents: a systematic review and meta-analysis. |
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| Συγγραφείς: | Liu D; Department of Ophthalmology, Xuyi People's Hospital, Xuyi, Jiangsu, 211700, China.; Xuyi Clinical College, Medical College of Yangzhou University, Xuyi, Jiangsu, 211700, China., Yu T; Department of Ophthalmology, Xuyi People's Hospital, Xuyi, Jiangsu, 211700, China.; Xuyi Clinical College, Medical College of Yangzhou University, Xuyi, Jiangsu, 211700, China., Ma G; Department of Ophthalmology, Xuyi People's Hospital, Xuyi, Jiangsu, 211700, China.; Xuyi Clinical College, Medical College of Yangzhou University, Xuyi, Jiangsu, 211700, China., Wang J; Department of Ophthalmology, Xuyi People's Hospital, Xuyi, Jiangsu, 211700, China. 1532338724@qq.com.; Xuyi Clinical College, Medical College of Yangzhou University, Xuyi, Jiangsu, 211700, China. 1532338724@qq.com. |
| Πηγή: | BMC ophthalmology [BMC Ophthalmol] 2026 Feb 12; Vol. 26 (1). Date of Electronic Publication: 2026 Feb 12. |
| Τύπος έκδοσης: | Journal Article; Systematic Review; Meta-Analysis |
| Γλώσσα: | English |
| Στοιχεία περιοδικού: | Publisher: BioMed Central Country of Publication: England NLM ID: 100967802 Publication Model: Electronic Cited Medium: Internet ISSN: 1471-2415 (Electronic) Linking ISSN: 14712415 NLM ISO Abbreviation: BMC Ophthalmol Subsets: MEDLINE |
| Imprint Name(s): | Original Publication: London : BioMed Central, [2001- |
| Ιατρικοί όροι (MeSH): | Myopia*/physiopathology , Myopia*/therapy , Low-Level Light Therapy*/methods , Refraction, Ocular*/physiology , Red Light*, Humans ; Adolescent ; Child ; Disease Progression ; Axial Length, Eye ; Treatment Outcome ; Eyeglasses |
| Περίληψη: | 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). (© 2026. The Author(s).) |
| Competing Interests: | Declarations. Ethics approval and consent to participate: Not applicable. Consent for publication: Not applicable. Competing interests: The authors declare no competing interests. |
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| Contributed Indexing: | Keywords: Axial length; Myopia; Repeated low-level red-light; Spherical equivalent refraction; Subfoveal choroidal thickness |
| Entry Date(s): | Date Created: 20260212 Date Completed: 20260707 Latest Revision: 20260813 |
| Update Code: | 20260813 |
| PubMed Central ID: | PMC12997839 |
| DOI: | 10.1186/s12886-026-04645-8 |
| PMID: | 41680682 |
| Βάση Δεδομένων: | MEDLINE |
| ISSN: | 1471-2415 |
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| DOI: | 10.1186/s12886-026-04645-8 |