Red light therapy for myopia is an emerging option that uses very low‑level red light a couple of times a day to help slow eye growth in children.¹⁻⁴ It is not a magic fix, but early research suggests it may have a role alongside more established treatments in the right child, with careful monitoring.¹⁻⁴
Note: This article is general information only and does not replace a personalised consultation with your eye care professional.
1. It’s a medical‑grade, highly controlled light exposure
Repeated low‑level red light (RLRL) therapy uses a specific wavelength of red light (around 650 nm) at very low power for short, timed bursts, typically 3 minutes twice a day, five days per week.¹˒³˒⁵ The Eyerising International device used in many published studies is designed to comply with international laser and photobiological safety standards for this kind of exposure.³˒⁶
Key points:
- The treatment is delivered through a dedicated medical device, not a generic “red light lamp” bought online.³
- Sessions are dose‑controlled and timed, and children are instructed where to look and how to use it.³˒⁵
- Children usually wear their normal optical correction in between treatments, and regular eye reviews are part of safe use.³˒⁵
“Not all red light is equal. Myopia red light therapy uses medical‑grade, low‑dose, timed light under professional supervision – it’s not the same as a beauty lamp.”
2. Research shows promising myopia‑slowing effects – but it’s still new
Randomised trials and meta‑analyses have reported that RLRL can slow myopia progression and eye elongation compared with single‑vision correction alone.¹˒²˒⁴˒⁵˒⁷˒⁸ In some studies, average axial length growth has been markedly reduced and, in a subset of children, small reductions in axial length have been observed over parts of the treatment period.²˒⁵
Important caveats:
- These results are averages across groups; individual outcomes can vary.²˒⁴˒⁵
- Most studies have followed children for up to about 2 years; longer‑term effects and optimal real‑world protocols are still being studied.²˒⁴˒⁵˒⁸
- RLRL is usually considered as one part of a broader myopia management plan, not a standalone “cure”.³˒⁴˒⁸
“Early studies: red light therapy can slow myopia in many children – but it’s still a new tool, not a cure. Ongoing monitoring is essential.”
3. Safety looks reassuring overall – with rare but important risks
Across clinical trials and post‑market experience, the safety profile of RLRL has generally been reassuring, with no permanent structural eye damage reported in controlled studies using recommended protocols.¹˒²˒⁴˒⁵˒⁸ However, there have been rare reports of transient central vision loss and OCT changes in some children, usually associated with persistent after‑images after treatment.³˒⁹˒¹⁰
What this means in practice:
- Serious adverse events appear to be very rare compared with the large number of daily users reported in some regions, and it is important to know that vision and retinal structure recovered after stopping treatment in published cases.³˒⁹˒¹⁰
- A key warning sign is an after‑image that lasts longer than 5 minutes after a session; if this occurs, treatment should be stopped and the child promptly reviewed.³
- Regular follow‑up visits, including checks of vision, eye health and symptoms, are a core part of safe prescribing.³˒⁴˒⁵
Under AHPRA’s advertising guidelines it is important not to describe any treatment as completely “safe” or “risk‑free”, and to present both potential benefits and known uncertainties in a balanced way.¹¹˒¹²
“Most children in studies tolerated red light therapy well – but any persistent after‑image is a red flag to stop and get checked.”
4. Stopping suddenly may cause a rebound in myopia progression
A two‑year follow‑up study of children who used RLRL for myopia control found that those who continued treatment for two years maintained slower progression, while those who stopped after the first year showed a modest rebound in prescription change and eye growth during the second year.⁴˒¹³
Clinical implications:
- The rebound did not completely erase the earlier benefit, but progression did speed up again after stopping.⁴˒¹³
- This pattern is similar to what has been observed with some atropine protocols, where careful tapering may help reduce rebound.⁴
- Decisions about when and how to reduce or stop therapy are best made with your optometrist, who can track both prescription and axial length over time.³˒⁴
“Like other myopia treatments, red light therapy can show a rebound if stopped abruptly – planning the ‘exit strategy’ matters.”
5. It’s not right for every child – and it’s not a DIY treatment
RLRL is one of several evidence‑based myopia management options, alongside certain spectacle lens designs, contact lenses, orthokeratology and low‑dose atropine.²˒³˒⁵˒⁷˒⁸ Choosing the most appropriate plan depends on your child’s prescription, age, eye health, family history, lifestyle and their ability to stick with the routine.³˒⁴
Things to consider with your optometrist:
- Whether there are any retinal or other ocular conditions that would change the risk–benefit balance.³˒⁹˒¹⁰
- How progress will be monitored (for example, axial length, refraction, visual function, symptoms) and how often.³˒⁴˒⁵
- How RLRL will fit alongside other myopia management strategies your child may already be using.³˒⁵˒⁷
Generic red light devices marketed for “wellness” or cosmetic purposes are not the same as medical myopia devices that have been evaluated in clinical studies, and self‑treatment without professional guidance from an optometrist is not recommended.³
“Red light therapy is one tool in the myopia toolbox – not a DIY gadget and not the only option. The ‘right’ plan is individual.”
How we talk about red light therapy at Harmony Vision
At Harmony Vision we follow current evidence and Australian regulatory guidance when discussing any myopia treatment, including RLRL.¹¹˒¹² That means we:
- Avoid promising specific results for individual children.¹¹˒¹²
- Explain both the potential benefits and the known uncertainties and risks, including rebound and rare adverse events.³˒⁴˒⁵˒⁹˒¹⁰˒¹³
- Recommend red light therapy only where it appears appropriate after a comprehensive examination, and always with regular follow‑up.³˒⁴
If you are worried about your child’s myopia or have questions about red light therapy, the next step is a full myopia assessment so we can discuss options tailored to your child.
Selected research and guidance on red light therapy and myopia
- Jiang Y, et al. Effect of repeated low‑level red‑light therapy for myopia control in children: multicenter randomized controlled trial. Ophthalmology. 2022.
- Chen Y, et al. Safety of repeated low‑level red‑light therapy for myopia: a systematic review. Asia‑Pac J Ophthalmol. 2024.
- Collins MJ, et al. Repeated low‑level red‑light therapy: a look at safety and efficacy. Myopia Profile, 2023.
- Fan H, et al. Sustained and rebound effect of repeated low‑level red‑light therapy on myopia control: 2‑year post‑trial follow‑up. Clin Exp Ophthalmol. 2022.
- Liu G, et al. Effectiveness of repeated low‑level red light in myopia prevention and control. Br J Ophthalmol. 2024.
- Lu F, et al. A response to “Red light instruments for myopia exceed safety limits”. Ophthalmic Physiol Opt. 2024.
- Yu J, et al. Efficacy comparison between repeated low‑level red‑light therapy and peripheral defocus spectacles. Vision Science (MaxaPress). 2025.
- Fan H, et al. Effects of repeated low‑level red‑light therapy on myopia in children: meta‑analysis. Front Med. 2025.
- Zhang Z, et al. Structural OCT changes following repeated low‑level red‑light therapy for myopia. JAMA Ophthalmol. 2025.
- “Rare complication sparks safety concerns for red light myopia therapy.” NZ Optics. 2025.
- Ahpra & National Boards. Guidelines for advertising a regulated health service. Updated 2025.
- Ahpra Advertising hub – Summary of the advertising requirements. 2025.
