Low Level Red Light Therapy - Find a Behavioural Optometrist for Your Child in Hillsdale, Sydney

LOW LEVEL RED LIGHT THERAPY

LET’S EXPLORE WHAT THIS MEANS FOR FAMILIES.

Myopia (nearsightedness) is becoming increasingly common in children, making it crucial to find effective ways to manage and slow its progression. One exciting new treatment is Low-Level Red Light Therapy (RLRL) which uses low-intensity red light to help control myopia. The research is showing that it could be a great tool for kids dealing with the condition. Let’s take a look at how it works and whether it could benefit your child.

WHAT IS LOW-LEVEL RED LIGHT THERAPY?

RRL uses red light at a low intensity to help manage myopia.
While outdoor time has long been recommended for controlling myopia,
RLRL offers a time-efficient alternative. It’s especially useful for kids
who might not have the opportunity to spend as much time outdoors,
but still need help in slowing down the progression of their myopia.

HOW DOES IT WORK?

Scientists are still exploring exactly how RLRL affects the eye, but it’s believed that the red light helps improve blood flow and supports the health of the layers at the back of the eye. By doing this, it helps prevent the eye from becoming elongated, which is the cause of myopia. Essentially, RLRL slows down the changes in the eye that lead to worsening myopia.

HOW EFFECTIVE IS RLRL FOR MYOPIA CONTROL?

Studies have shown some promising results with RLRL, especially for children between the ages of 6 and 15. These trials demonstrated up to 75% less eye growth compared to those who didn’t use the therapy over periods of one to two years. In other words, RLRL helped slow down myopia progression by a large margin.

RLRL treatment has also shown to help reduce the chances of developing myopia for children who are at risk due to various factors such as family history, ethnicity and lifestyle factors.

In trials conducted in China, kids who used the RLRL device twice a day (just 3 minutes per session, 5 days a week) showed a significant reduction in ave arowth

Compared to those who didn’t use the therapy.

WHAT ABOUT LONG-TERM RESULTS?

Some trials have shown that RLRL doesn’t just slow myopia progression but can even slightly reduce the length of the eye in some children, which is a great bonus. This has led researchers to believe that long-term use could offer more lasting benefits in managing myopia.

However, when the treatment stops, there is a chance of a “rebound” effect, where the myopia progresses faster than before. To avoid this, it’s important to continue with the therapy for the best long-term results.

IS RLRL SAFE FOR KIDS?

Safety is always a top concern for any new treatment, particularly when it comes to children.

The good news is that RLRL has a solid safety record, with only a few rare reports of side effects. The most common issue was a temporary change in vision, but these effects were resolved after stopping the treatment. The chances of this happening are very low. One thing to watch for is if your child experiences a “persistent afterimage” (like seeing spots or flashes) that lasts more than 5 minutes after using the device. If this happens, it’s best to stop the treatment and contact your eye care professional.

THE BOTTOM LINE ON RLRL

Low-Level Red Light Therapy (RLRL) shows a lot of promise as a safe and effective way to manage myopia in kids. It’s an exciting new option that can help slow down the progression of myopia, especially for kids who may not get as much time outdoors.

If you’re considering RLRL for your child, it’s a good idea to discuss it with your optometrist or eye care professional. They can help determine if this treatment is right for your child and provide guidance on how to use it effectively alongside other treatments, such as glasses or contact lenses.

As more research is done on RLRL, we’ll likely learn even more about how it works and how to best use it to manage myopia. For now, it’s a promising tool in the fight against myopia progression.

References

Myopia Profile

YOUR CHILD’S SIGHT IS PRECIOUS

Good vision is vital for your child’s development, both academically and in their everyday life. Don’t wait for the signs to show up – let our behavioral optometrists help you give your child the best chance at clear, efficient vision.