Impact of repeated low-level red-light exposure on choroidal thickness and blood flow in pediatric patients: A SS-OCTA study
Year: 2024
Type: article
Study design: Clinical Trial
Abstract: Purpose: To evaluate the impact of repeated low-level red-light (RLRL) therapy on choroidal thickness and blood flow in various choroidal regions.Methods: A trial was conducted over a three-month period, from April 1, 2023, to September 30, 2023. aged 6-16 underwent RLRL therapy at home twice daily for five days per week, with each session lasting three minutes. Data collected at baseline, one month, and three months post-treatment included uncorrected visual acuity, intraocular pressure, optical coherence tomography scans, etc.Results: The study included 44 myopic children, with an average age of 9.79 years and 56.82% being male. The RLRL therapy led to a significant increase in subfoveal choroidal thickness (Baseline, 272.82 ± 64.01 μm; 1-month, 297.77 ± 72.94 μm; 3-month, 298.77 ± 77.17 μm, p = 0.001), a reduction in axial length (Baseline, 24.97 ± 1.47 mm; 1-month, 24.93 ± 1.42 mm; 3-month, 24.88 ± 1.38 mm, p = 0.002), and a marginal regression in spherical equivalent (p = 0.055). Significant elevations of choroidal vessel volume and choroidal thickness across all regions were noted at both one and three months, with a pronounced positive correlation that intensified with distance from the fovea. Moreover, a trend toward increased choroidal vessel volume and thickness with greater distance from the fovea was observed in nasal, temporal, superior, and inferior regions between the one and three-month evaluations.Conclusion: RLRL therapy presents a promising method for managing myopia in children, likely by augmenting choroidal vessel volume to boost choroidal thickness and mitigate myopia progression.
Authors: Huihang Wang, Huifen Zhong, Jingjin Zhang, Wei Wei, Xiaoyuan Cui, Weidong Zheng
Language: English
Subfield: Epidemiology
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $2,450
OpenAlex ID: W4404592265