A systematic review published in the Asia Pacific Journal of Ophthalmology has examined the safety profile and risk-to-benefit ratio of repeated low-level red-light (RLRL) therapy as a treatment for slowing the progression of myopia in children and adolescents.1
This was the first systematic review to focus solely on the safety profile and side effects of RLRL, acknowledging that numerous clinical trials have already supported its clinical efficacy.
The study reviewed articles across seven databases from inception through 10 February 2024, identifying 20 research articles involving 2,380 participants aged three to 18 years, with 1,436 participants undergoing RLRL. The longest study included was of 24 months, with a median duration of nine months.
According to the authors, “no irreversible visual function loss or ocular structural damage associated with RLRL therapy was identified in this review”.
… no irreversible visual function loss or ocular structural damage associated with RLRL therapy was identified in this review
A single case was noted across two case reports involving a reversible decline in visual acuity and on optical coherence tomography, which resolved four months after discontinuing therapy.
The most common side effect was a temporary afterimage, typically resolved within six minutes post-treatment. The incidence of adverse events from RLRL was also calculated at 0.088 per 100 patient-years, which is comparable to spectacles designed for myopia reduction (0.22 per 100 patient-years) and significantly lower than low-dose atropine (7.32), anti-myopia contact lenses (19.3), and orthokeratology (20.6 per 100 patient-years).
Looking forward, the authors advocate for further long-term studies of adequate power to comprehensively evaluate the safety of RLRL.
Reference
- Chen Y, Xiong R, He M, et al. Safety of repeated low-level red-light therapy for myopia: A systematic review. Asia Pac J Ophthalmol (Phila). 2024 Dec 11:100124. doi: 10.1016/j.apjo.2024.100124.
