Red Light Therapy for Myopia: Balancing Promise and Safety Concerns
Houston – A red light therapy gaining traction as a potential treatment to slow the progression of myopia (nearsightedness) in children is facing increased scrutiny from U.S. Ophthalmologists. Although the therapy, developed and widely used in China, shows promise in slowing eye elongation, recent research indicates some commercially available devices may not meet U.S. Safety standards.
The Rise of Red Light Therapy for Myopia
Myopia is a growing global health concern, particularly in East Asia, where rates are as high as 80%. Factors contributing to this increase include reduced time spent outdoors and a focus on near-vision activities. The eye responds to these conditions by lengthening, leading to myopia. Red light therapy aims to address this by irradiating the back of the eye with low-level red light, potentially stabilizing eye growth and slowing progression.
Study Highlights Safety Concerns
A quality improvement study published in JAMA Ophthalmology in 2026, found that two of four commercially available red light therapy devices – Sky-n1201 and EyeRising – exceeded U.S. Limits for medical lasers. Specifically, the Sky-n1201 and EyeRising devices reached ANSI group 1 limits within exposure times of 2.8 and 1.4 seconds, respectively, classifying them as Class 1 and 2M laser devices. The Future Vision device reached limits under extended exposure times (over 253 seconds), while the AirDoc, a light-emitting diode-based device, showed a longer time to reaching limits (22,761 seconds).
How Red Light Therapy Works
Clinical trials in Asia have demonstrated that repeated low-level red light therapy can significantly slow myopia progression and axial elongation. This is accompanied by choroidal thickening, which helps stabilize eye growth. However, reports of vision damage, including structural retinal damage in one 12-year-old patient with only partial visual recovery after treatment cessation, have raised concerns.
Call for Further Research and Regulation
Lisa Ostrin, a professor of optometry at the University of Houston, emphasizes the need for more rigorous safety validation before widespread pediatric use. She urges eye care professionals, researchers and regulatory agencies to prioritize safety assessments, including adaptive optics retinal imaging, multi-focal electroretinography, and long-term cohort monitoring. Establishing a balance between therapeutic efficacy and ocular safety is crucial to ensure the intervention doesn’t pose avoidable risks.
The International Myopia Conference
The International Myopia Conference (IMC), a leading forum dedicated to myopia research and treatment, will be held in Houston in 2027. The University of Houston College of Optometry will host the event, bringing together researchers, clinicians, and industry leaders to discuss the latest advancements in myopia control. The IMC aims to accelerate discovery, improve clinical care, and advance public health strategies related to myopia worldwide.
Key Takeaways
- Red light therapy shows promise in slowing myopia progression, but safety concerns exist.
- Some commercially available devices may exceed U.S. Safety standards for medical lasers.
- Further research and regulatory oversight are needed to ensure the safe and effective use of red light therapy for myopia.
As red light therapy continues to gain popularity, ongoing research and careful monitoring will be essential to maximize its benefits while minimizing potential risks.
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