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Randomized trialInvestigative ophthalmology & visual science · 2026

Differences in Posterior Ocular Morphology Following Red Light Therapy Versus 0.01% Atropine for Myopia Control: A Randomized Controlled Trial Analysis.

Ziwei Zhao, Yue Wu, Fan Song … Yanxian Chen

OphthalmologyRandomized trial

Red light therapy causes greater central macular flattening than atropine for myopia control.

Differences in Posterior Ocular Morphology Following Red Light Therapy Versus 0.01% Atropine for Myopia Control: A Randomized Controlled Trial Analysis.

Ziwei Zhao … Yanxian Chen

Investigative ophthalmology & visual science · 2026

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to compare longitudinal changes in three-dimensional (3D) macular morphology between repeated low-level red-light (RLRL) therapy and 0.01% low-dose atropine (low-dose atropine) treatment in myopic children.

Methods

This secondary analysis of a randomized controlled trial (randomized controlled trial) included 50 myopic children (aged 7-15 years) randomized to receive either RLRL therapy (650 ± 10 nm) or 0.01% atropine eye drops.

n = 50 myopic children

Results

red light therapy made the central macula flatter by this much more than atropine

MD 9 (95% CI 4.40 to 13.60)

CI excludes the null - significant

More results

The inter-group difference was most pronounced centrally and decreased with eccentricity.

MOSH decreased superiorly and increased inferiorly in the RLRL group at 12 months, whereas the low-dose atropine group showed minimal change.

More results

Both nasal-temporal and superior-inferior macular curvature asymmetry indices increased significantly more in the RLRL group (P < 0.001 and P < 0.05, respectively).

No inter-group differences in retinal layer thickness changes were observed.

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Conclusion · 1 of 2

Over 12 months, RLRL showed broader macular flattening and more region-specific MOSH changes compared with 0.01% atropine in this cohort.

Conclusion · 2 of 2

However, the underlying mechanisms and the independent contribution of myopic progression to these morphological differences require further study.

Differences in Posterior Ocular Morphology Following Red Light Therapy Versus 0.01% Atropine for Myopia Control: A Randomized Controlled Trial Analysis.

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