Impact of Repeated Low-Level Red-Light Exposure on Choroidal Thickness and Blood Flow in Pediatric Patients: A SS-OCTA Study

Huihang Wang; Huifen Zhong; Jingjin Zhang; Wei Wei; Xiaoyuan Cui; Weidong Zheng

doi:10.1016/j.pdpdt.2024.104412

Impact of Repeated Low-Level Red-Light Exposure on Choroidal Thickness and Blood Flow in Pediatric Patients: A SS-OCTA Study

Photodiagnosis Photodyn Ther. 2024 Nov 21:104412. doi: 10.1016/j.pdpdt.2024.104412. Online ahead of print.

Authors

Huihang Wang¹, Huifen Zhong¹, Jingjin Zhang¹, Wei Wei¹, Xiaoyuan Cui¹, Weidong Zheng²

Affiliations

¹ Department of Ophthalmology, the First Affiliated Hospital, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China; Department of Ophthalmology, National Regional Medical Center, Binhai Campus of the First Affiliated Hospital, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China; Fujian Institute of Ophthalmology, the First Affiliated Hospital, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China; Fujian Provincial Clinical Medical Research Center of Eye Diseases and Optometry, the First Affiliated Hospital, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China.
² Department of Ophthalmology, the First Affiliated Hospital, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China; Department of Ophthalmology, National Regional Medical Center, Binhai Campus of the First Affiliated Hospital, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China; Fujian Institute of Ophthalmology, the First Affiliated Hospital, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China; Fujian Provincial Clinical Medical Research Center of Eye Diseases and Optometry, the First Affiliated Hospital, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China. Electronic address: wdzheng@fjmu.edu.cn.

PMID: 39579842
DOI: 10.1016/j.pdpdt.2024.104412

Abstract

Purpose: To evaluate the impact of repeated low-level red-light (RLRL) therapy on choroidal thickness and blood flow in pediatric myopia.

Methods: A three-month trial (April 1, 2023 - September 30, 2023) was conducted involving 44 children (ages 6-16) with myopia. Participants underwent RLRL therapy at home twice daily for five days per week, with each session lasting three minutes. Assessments at baseline, one month, and three months included cycloplegic refraction, best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), intraocular pressure (IOP), ocular biometrics, swept-source optical coherence tomography angiography (SS-OCTA), slit-lamp, and fundus examinations.

Results: The study included 44 children (average age: 9.79 years; 56.82% male). RLRL therapy significantly increased 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), reduced axial length (Baseline: 24.97 ± 1.47 mm; 3-month: 24.88 ± 1.38 mm, p = 0.002), and showed a marginal regression in spherical equivalent (p = 0.055). Significant elevations in choroidal vessel volume and thickness were noted, with positive correlations intensifying with distance from the fovea.

Conclusion: RLRL therapy shows promise in managing pediatric myopia by increasing choroidal vessel volume and thickness, potentially mitigating myopia progression.

Keywords: Blood flow; Children; Choroidal thickness; Low-level red-light.