Red Light Therapy – A New Tool for Myopia Control
As more people worldwide develop myopia (or short-sightedness), new ways of managing this condition are emerging. One of the latest tools in myopia control is something you might not expect: red light therapy.
Known as Repeated Low-Level Red-Light therapy, or RLRL, this treatment is generating growing interest in the field of myopia control. But what is it, how does it work, and could it be an option for you or your family?
In this blog, we’ll explore this exciting innovation and how it might support your vision and eye health.
Understanding Myopia and Why It Matters
Myopia is a common condition where distant objects appear blurred, while near vision remains clear. It happens when the eyeball grows too long, which affects the way light focuses on the retina. This growth is called axial length elongation, and it’s the main factor behind myopia progression.
In mild cases, myopia may seem like a small inconvenience. But as it worsens, it can increase the risk of more serious eye conditions, including retinal detachment, glaucoma, and myopic maculopathy. That’s why managing it early and effectively is important - not just for children’s eye health, but adults too.
What is RLRL Therapy?
Repeated Low-Level Red-Light therapy involves looking into a device that emits a gentle red light (usually around 650 nanometres in wavelength) for a few minutes, twice a day, five days a week. The treatment is completely non-invasive.
The light is not intense and doesn’t produce heat or cause discomfort. It’s not the same as laser therapy or high-powered red light used in other medical settings. The idea is to gently stimulate the retina and surrounding eye tissue in a way that can help regulate how the eye grows.
While it may sound futuristic, RLRL is supported by a growing body of research, particularly from countries where myopia is highly prevalent, such as China and Singapore.
What Does the Research Say?
Most of the research into RLRL has focused on children with progressive myopia. Several well-designed studies have shown that children using red light therapy devices twice daily experienced less axial elongation than those who received standard care.
In some studies, the treatment even appeared more effective than low-dose atropine drops, a well-established method for slowing myopia. The benefits were seen over several months and continued as long as the treatment was used consistently.
How it works
Using innovative, patented technology to deliver Repeated Low-Level Red-Light (RLRL), the Eyerising Myopia Management Device gently stimulates the body’s own healing mechanism to address the underlying issues that cause myopia.
The Eyerising Myopia Management Device used at Visique Eye Spy Optometrists delivers Repeated Low-Level Red-Light (RLRL) which increases blood flow sustainedly on the ocular fundus and alleviates scleral hypoxia. Alleviated scleral hypoxia slows elongation of axial lengthening due to sclera remodelling. This in turn slows the progression of myopia and prevents development of high myopia.
The device's intended users are myopic children aged between 3 and 16 years of age.
Myopia control therapy with up to 87.7% treatment efficacy.
3-minute treatment, 2 times per day, 5 days per week, with a minimum of 4 hours between sessions.
Treatment is administered at home - delivering high compliance and over 80% patient loyalty.
How Does RLRL Compare to Other Myopia Control Methods
There are already several ways to help manage or slow down myopia progression. These include:
Spectacle lenses with myopia control designs – such as DIMS (Defocus Incorporated Multiple Segments) or HAL (Highly Aspherical Lenslets)
Soft myopia control contact lenses – daily lenses that change the way light enters the eye
Orthokeratology (Ortho-K) – custom lenses worn overnight that temporarily reshape the cornea
Low-dose atropine eye drops – used at night to relax the eye’s focusing system
Sometimes combination therapy for myopia control is required. This involves using two or more methods, such as repeated low-level red-light therapy or atropine eye drops combined with an optical treatment like specialized spectacle lenses, or multifocal contact lenses or orthokeratology, to enhance the effectiveness of myopia control.
Repeated Low-Level Red Light therapy with the Eyerising Myopia Management Device therapy at Visique Eye Spy Optometrists can be completed in isolation or in combination with other treatments. Myopia control contact lenses can be used in conjunction with the Eyerising Myopia Management Device. This approach is considered highly effective, particularly for children with rapidly progressing myopia, as it targets multiple pathways of eye growth regulation.
RLRL is different in that it doesn’t involve drops or contact lenses. It’s non-contact - which means non-invasive, easy to use, and may suit people (especially children) who find other methods challenging. That said, it does require three minute treatments, twice a day, five days a week, which means a high level of consistency is needed for the best results. Because treatment is easily administered at home, compliance is high.
Is RLRL Right for Adults?
Most current studies have focused on children, as that’s when myopia tends to progress most quickly. However, the treatment is also being explored for its potential to reduce the long-term risks of myopia in adults.
So far, there’s not enough evidence to recommend RLRL for adults as a standard treatment, but that may change as more research is done. At Visique Eye Spy Optometrists, we monitor all new technologies closely and will evaluate RLRL carefully if and when adult-specific data becomes available.
Is It Safe?
Red light therapy has shown a very good safety profile in clinical studies. It’s non-invasive, doesn’t involve medication, and there is no report of significant treatment side effects. An after-treatment discomfort, known as ‘afterimages’ has been observed. This means the individual can still see the light after the treatment but it will disappear within 3 minutes. After a few weeks of treatment, the duration of the afterimages will normally get shorter and may eventually disappear.
Even so, no treatment is completely risk-free, especially when used over a long period. That’s why it’s important that RLRL therapy is used under professional supervision, as part of a wider myopia management plan
Looking Ahead
Myopia rates are rising globally, and it’s not just a childhood issue. With more time spent indoors, on screens, and less time outdoors, both children and adults are affected.
RLRL therapy is an exciting addition to the toolbox of treatments being explored. This technology shows real promise and could become part of the way we manage eye health in years to come.
At Visique Eye Spy Optometrists, we’re committed to providing evidence-based, modern care for our patients. That includes staying informed about emerging therapies like RLRL and offering up-to-date advice to help you make informed decisions about your eyesight.
How Eye Spy Optometry Can Help
Whether you’re a parent concerned about your child’s vision, or an adult managing short-sightedness, we’re here to support you.
We offer a full range of myopia control options, tailored to your needs. And with new, proven tools like RLRL available, we are ready to integrate them safely into your care plan.
Get in touch today and let’s talk about the best way to protect and preserve your sight now and into the future.
