Peer-reviewed article
The compliance patterns and personalized management of repeated red light therapy in children: A 4-year multicenter retrospective study.
Liu G, Li N, Ma Y, Wang J, Song D et al. ·
Summary
Written by AI, not yet AICS's view · claude-haiku-4-5-20251001This study examined compliance patterns in children using repeated red light therapy (RRLT) to slow myopia progression. The research followed 2,575 children aged 6-16 years over 4 years using home-based RRLT and measured changes in axial length (eye elongation). Higher compliance with the therapy was associated with slower eye elongation, with at least 58% cumulative compliance needed for favorable outcomes.
Key points
- Higher cumulative compliance with RRLT correlated with slower axial length elongation (β = -0.322; p < 0.001)
- After 4 years, cumulative axial length increase was 0.32 ± 0.02 mm
- Minimum cumulative compliance levels of approximately 58-69% were associated with favorable efficacy across the 4-year period
- Effects were more pronounced in children with higher baseline axial length
- Study provides data for personalizing RRLT treatment strategies to balance efficacy and usage burden
Limitations
This is a retrospective observational study examining compliance and myopia progression, not child well-being outcomes. It does not address broader health, development, or social outcomes that typically define child well-being in the humanitarian and development context.
Abstract
Limited real-world evidence exists on how repeated red light therapy (RRLT) compliance influences axial elongation patterns across multiple years. This 4-year multicenter retrospective real-world study included 2575 children aged 6-16 years (spherical equivalent -10.00 D to +3.00 D) using home-based RRLT. The annual axial length (AL) elongation ≤0.10 mm defined favorable efficacy. After 4 years, the cumulative AL increase was 0.32 ± 0.02 mm. Higher cumulative compliance correlated with slower AL elongation (β = -0.322; p < 0.001), particularly in children with higher baseline AL (6-9 years: >24.00 mm; 10-13 years: >25.00 mm). Spline models identified that cumulative compliance levels of approximately 58%, 69%, 58%, and 67% were associated with favorable efficacy outcome over 1-4 years, respectively. These findings indicate that at least 58% cumulative compliance is necessary for a favorable long-term response. This study provides suggestions for personalized treatment strategies to balance efficacy and usage burden in children receiving RRLT.