--- title: "Effect of Repeated Low-Level Red-Light Therapy for Myopia…" description: "Repeated low-level red-light therapy significantly slows myopia progression in children with no observed adverse effects." url: "https://magellanlongevity.com/study/x15.md" canonical: "https://magellanlongevity.com/study/x15.html" html: "https://magellanlongevity.com/study/x15.html" type: "study" study_key: "x15" journal: "Ophthalmology" year: 2022 pmid: "34863776" doi: "10.1016/j.ophtha.2021.11.023" citations: 1 updated: 2026-09-02 author: "Gabriel Radu, DO" author_credentials: "Physiatrist (PM&R). NY medical license 275110. NPI 1376861765." publisher: "Magellan Longevity" content_format: "markdown" --- # Effect of Repeated Low-Level Red-Light Therapy for Myopia Control in Children: a Multicenter Randomized Controlled Trial [Home](https://magellanlongevity.com/) › [Research map](https://magellanlongevity.com/longevity-research-map.html) › Effect of Repeated Low-Level Red-Light Therapy for Myopia… **HTML version:** https://magellanlongevity.com/study/x15.html · **In the Magellan app:** https://magellanlongevity.com/#/study/x15 ## Citation | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Journal | Ophthalmology | | Year | 2022 | | PMID | [34863776](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34863776/) | | DOI | [10.1016/j.ophtha.2021.11.023](https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ophtha.2021.11.023) | | Study key | x15 | ## Takeaway Repeated low-level red-light therapy significantly slows myopia progression in children with no observed adverse effects. ## The question Does repeated low-level red-light (RLRL) therapy effectively and safely control myopia progression in children? ## Hypothesis The study implicitly hypothesized that RLRL therapy would be more effective than single-vision spectacles (SVS) alone in controlling myopia progression in children, as measured by changes in axial length and spherical equivalent refraction (SER), without significant adverse events. ## Methods This was a multicenter, randomized, parallel-group, single-blind clinical trial involving 264 children aged 8 to 13 with myopia. Participants were randomized to either the intervention group (RLRL treatment plus SVS) or the control group (SVS only). RLRL therapy involved a desktop device emitting 650-nm red light for 3 minutes per session, twice daily, 5 days per week, administered at home. Primary outcomes were changes in axial length and SER measured over 12 months. ## Results Among 246 children analyzed, the 12-month axial elongation was 0.13 mm for the RLRL group and 0.38 mm for the SVS group. SER progression was -0.20 D for the RLRL group and -0.79 D for the SVS group. The differences between groups were 0.26 mm in axial elongation and -0.59 D in SER progression, favoring the RLRL group. No severe adverse events, functional visual loss, or structural damage were observed. ## Conclusion Repeated low-level red-light therapy is a promising alternative treatment for myopia control in children, demonstrating good user acceptability and no documented functional or structural damage. ## Limitations The abstract does not explicitly state limitations of the study. ## Verbatim from the abstract > repeated low-level red-light therapy is a promising alternative treatment for myopia control ## 12-Month Myopia Progression | Measure | Change (mm or D) | | --- | --- | | RLRL (Axial Elongation) | 0.13 | | SVS (Axial Elongation) | 0.38 | | RLRL (SER Progression) | -0.2 | | SVS (SER Progression) | -0.79 | *Comparison of 12-month axial elongation (mm) and spherical equivalent refraction (SER) progression (D) between repeated low-level red-light (RLRL) therapy and single-vision spectacle (SVS) groups.* ## Where this study is used on Magellan This paper is one of the citations behind the evidence grade on the pages below. Grades are assigned from the published research and are independent of affiliate commissions. | Compound or device | Evidence grade | Graded pages | | --- | --- | --- | | Photobiomodulation (Red & Near-Infrared Light) | — | — | ## Reference 1. **Effect of Repeated Low-Level Red-Light Therapy for Myopia Control in Children: a Multicenter Randomized Controlled Trial** Ophthalmology 2022 · [PMID 34863776](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34863776/) · [DOI 10.1016/j.ophtha.2021.11.023](https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ophtha.2021.11.023) > repeated low-level red-light therapy is a promising alternative treatment for myopia control ## Structured data ```json {"@context":"https://schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"MedicalWebPage","@id":"https://magellanlongevity.com/study/x15.html#page","url":"https://magellanlongevity.com/study/x15.html","name":"Effect of Repeated Low-Level Red-Light Therapy for Myopia Control in Children: a Multicenter Randomized…","description":"Repeated low-level red-light therapy significantly slows myopia progression in children with no observed adverse effects.","inLanguage":"en","isPartOf":{"@type":"WebSite","name":"Magellan Longevity","url":"https://magellanlongevity.com/"},"author":{"@type":"Person","name":"Gabriel Radu, DO","jobTitle":"Physiatrist (PM&R)","identifier":[{"@type":"PropertyValue","name":"NPI","value":"1376861765"},{"@type":"PropertyValue","name":"NY medical license","value":"275110"}]},"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"Magellan Longevity","url":"https://magellanlongevity.com/"},"encoding":{"@type":"MediaObject","encodingFormat":"text/markdown","contentUrl":"https://magellanlongevity.com/study/x15.md"},"dateModified":"2026-09-02"},{"@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Home","item":"https://magellanlongevity.com/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"Research map","item":"https://magellanlongevity.com/longevity-research-map.html"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":3,"name":"Effect of Repeated Low-Level Red-Light Therapy for Myopia…","item":"https://magellanlongevity.com/study/x15.html"}]},{"@type":"ScholarlyArticle","@id":"https://magellanlongevity.com/study/x15.html#study","name":"Effect of Repeated Low-Level Red-Light Therapy for Myopia Control in Children: a Multicenter Randomized Controlled Trial","headline":"Effect of Repeated Low-Level Red-Light Therapy for Myopia Control in Children: a Multicenter Randomized…","datePublished":"2022","isPartOf":{"@type":"Periodical","name":"Ophthalmology"},"identifier":"PMID:34863776","url":"https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34863776/","sameAs":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ophtha.2021.11.023","abstract":"Repeated low-level red-light therapy significantly slows myopia progression in children with no observed adverse effects."}]} ``` ## Related on Magellan Longevity - [Mechanisms and applications of the anti-inflammatory effects of photobiomodulation.](https://magellanlongevity.com/study/pbm.md) - [A controlled trial to determine the efficacy of red and near-infrared light treatment in…](https://magellanlongevity.com/study/redlight_skin.md) - [Longevity research map](https://magellanlongevity.com/longevity-research-map.html) - [Evidence-based longevity supplements](https://magellanlongevity.com/longevity-supplements.md) ## Scope and disclosures Educational information, not medical advice. Nothing here is intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Talk to your physician before starting any supplement or device, especially if you are pregnant, nursing, or taking medication. Editorial firewall: evidence grades are assigned from the published research and are independent of any affiliate commission. As an Amazon Associate, Magellan Longevity earns from qualifying purchases. Reviewed for accuracy by a board-certified physician (DO).