A study has found the combination of defocus incorporated multiple segment (DIMS) glasses and repeated low-level red light therapy (RLRL) to be significantly effective in slowing the progression of myopia among children. This dual intervention could represent a promising advance as the incidence of myopia—especially prevalent among school-aged children—continues to rise.
Myopia, also known as nearsightedness, typically begins during childhood and is increasingly associated with prolonged near work, particularly due to digital screen exposure. Studies indicate the myopia rate among primary school students has ballooned from around 30% in the 1990s to nearly 65% by the 2010s, particularly across East Asia.
The current research, conducted by the team at Kangming Eye Hospital over the past year, involved 190 children diagnosed with myopia. Participants were assigned to three groups: those wearing only DIMS glasses, another group receiving RLRL therapy, and those utilizing both methods simultaneously. The study tracked the change in axial length of the eyes over nearly one year, with findings indicating definitive advantages for the combination therapy.
The average yearly axial change for the DIMS group observed was +0.16 mm, whereas the RLRL group showed just -0.04 mm. More impressively, those utilizing both DIMS and RLRL therapies exhibited axial length reduction averaging -0.13 mm annually—a statistically significant improvement when compared with either therapy alone (p < 0.0001).
Researchers led by Lingyun Cheng noted, "Combination therapy of DIMS and RLRL has significantly greater effect size in controlling myopia progression than either RLRL alone or DIMS alone." These findings suggest not only the efficacy of both interventions but also their potential synergistic benefits—a significant breakthrough for myopia control strategies.
Further emphasizing the importance, the study noted, "This is the first such study, and more studies including randomized clinical trials are needed to validate this finding." Such research is pivotal as uncontrolled myopia can lead to severe visual impairment later in life, particularly if left unaddressed during formative years.
Participants showed no adverse events or complications associated with either intervention throughout the study, reinforcing the appeal of this treatment approach to parents and patients alike. Given the simplicity of the treatments—DIMS glasses can be worn during regular daily activities and RLRL therapy, which only requires brief sessions at home—acceptability among children is likely to be high.
The methodology employed was rigorous, involving longitudinal assessments with each child receiving comprehensive eye exams initially and throughout the follow-up period. Axial length changes—a key indicator of myopia progression—were calculated and compared through generalized linear mixed models to account for variations such as age, sex, and baseline measurements.
The findings highlight not just the necessity of addressing the myopia epidemic but the efficacy of employing combined strategies to manage it. Both DIMS glasses and low-level red light therapy provide meaningful contributions to retarding axial elongation, preventing the onset of degenerative myopia, which poses substantial threats to visual health. The current study's results of reduced axial length with combination therapy could greatly influence future treatment protocols.
Overall, this investigation is significant as it illuminates new avenues to managing myopia effectively, potentially steering the course of treatment for millions of children worldwide as the need for effective myopia control intensifies.