Translational changes: evidence around efficacy of red-light therapy in myopia management

The global prevalence of myopia has continued to increase significantly over time. By 2050, it has been estimated that approximately half of the world’s population will be myopic. Additionally, 10% of myopes will be highly myopic, which greatly increases the risk of sight-threatening ocular complications including retinal detachments and myopic maculopathies. Significant global efforts have been invested in the development of interventions and strategies to prevent myopia onset and progression. Several different myopia control treatments are now available to clinicians for this purpose. Additionally, evidence has suggested that increased outdoor time and illuminance may have protective effects against myopia progression. Recently, the use of repeated low-level red-light therapy devices has become an emerging novel intervention for myopia. While current research surrounding red light therapy, mostly occurring in China, has suggested promising results for myopia management, there is still limited long-term research into the efficacy and safety of red-light therapy. This review aims to present a comprehensive overview of the current evidence surrounding the efficacy and safety of red-light therapy as a myopia control treatment, and to highlight the importance for further global research efforts for this novel treatment.