# Exploring the efficacy of repeated low-level red-light therapy in retarding childhood myopia progression: updated systematic review and meta-analysis

## TL;DR

This study finds that repeated low-level red-light therapy can slow the progression of childhood myopia compared to standard treatment.

## Contribution

The paper provides updated evidence from a meta-analysis on the efficacy of red-light therapy for myopia in children.

## Key findings

- RLRL therapy significantly reduced spherical equivalent (SER) progression in children with myopia.
- Axial length (AL) increased less in the RLRL group compared to the control group.
- Scleral choroidal thickness (SFChT) increased more in the RLRL group, indicating potential protective effects.

## Abstract

Due to the increasing prevalence of childhood myopia, low-level red-light therapy has surfaced as a non-pharmacological method to mitigate its advancement. This systematic review and meta-analysis evaluates the efficacy of repeated low-level red-light (RLRL) in pediatric populations, providing evidence-based support for its therapeutic usage.

A search was performed in PubMed, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, Embase, and prominent Chinese databases, including CNKI, VIP, and Wanfang, from their inception until May 13, 2025. This meta-analysis includes randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that matched the inclusion criteria and was analyzed using Stata software, version 18.0.

This meta-analysis included 1,053 participants: 515 in the RLRL and 538 in the control groups. The SMD for SER reduction was 0.84 (95% CI: 0.50, 1.19), SMD for AL reduction was −1.01, (95% CI: −1.60, −0.41), and SMD for SFChT rise was 0.81 (95% CI: 0.65–0.98). There is no major publishing bias.

The meta-analysis found that children with myopia who got RLRL therapy in addition to normal treatment had significantly slower disease progression than the control group.

https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO/view/CRD420251034037, PROSPERO 2025 CRD420251034037.