In the RLRL group, the axial length (AL) decreased at three and six months but returned to baseline by 12 months.
The RLRL group experienced a significant increase in spherical equivalent (SE) throughout the one-year follow-up period.
In contrast, the control group showed a significant increase in AL at three, six, and twelve months.
Significant improvements were observed in choroidal thickness (CT), choroidal vascularity (CV), and choriocapillaris luminal area (CLA) in the RLRL group.
Changes in choroidal parameters were significantly correlated with changes in AL and SE during the follow-up period.
Short-term effects of RLRL therapy at three months may predict long-term outcomes at 12 months.
Simplified
PURPOSE: To investigate the long-term effects of repeated low-level red light (RLRL) therapy on the axial length (AL), spherical equivalent (SE), and choroidal parameters.
METHODS: Two hundred eight myopic eyes were recruited. The RLRL group included 100 eyes, whereas the control group included 108 eyes. Throughout the one-year follow-up period, changes in AL and SE were recorded for both groups. The RLRL group underwent additional choroidal imaging, and changes in choroidal thickness (CT), choroidal vascularity (CV), and choriocapillaris luminal area (CLA) were assessed before and after RLRL therapy.
RESULTS: During the follow-up period, the changing trends in AL and SE differed significantly between the RLRL and control groups. In the RLRL group, AL decreased at three and six months (both P < 0.05) and returned to pretreatment values at 12 months (P = 0.453). In contrast, AL increased significantly throughout the follow-up period (three, six, and 12 months) in the control group (all P < 0.001). The SE increased significantly during the entire follow-up period in the RLRL group (all P < 0.001), whereas it decreased significantly in the control group (all P < 0.05). Regarding choroidal parameters, significant improvements were observed in CT, CV and CLA throughout the follow-up period (all P < 0.05), and changes in most choroidal parameters were significantly correlated with changes in AL and SE during the follow-up period (all P < 0.05). Furthermore, AL, SE, and most choroidal parameters showed significant correlations between changes at three and 12 months (all P < 0.05).
CONCLUSIONS: RLRL therapy significantly improved choroidal blood perfusion and circulation, which may explain the observed slowing or reversal of progression in the RLRL group. Thus RLRL therapy may be a novel and effective method for controlling myopia. Furthermore, the short-term effect of (i.e., changes at three months) can be used to predict the long-term effects (i.e., changes at 12 months).
TRANSLATIONAL RELEVANCE: In this study, RLRL therapy showed a significant control effect on the development of axial length and spherical equivalent. RLRL therapy also promoted the choroidal blood perfusion and circulation. RLRL therapy could be a novel and effective method for myopia control.
Key numbers
0.06 mm
Decrease in Axial Length (AL)
Change in AL at three months in the RLRL group
0.19 D
Increase in Spherical Equivalent (SE)
Change in SE at three months in the RLRL group
64.00%
Control Rate at 3 Months
Percentage of lower AL in the RLRL group compared to baseline
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