Low-level red light (LLRL) therapy has gained popularity in recent years as a means of treating myopia, or nearsightedness, particularly in younger patients. During the course of LLRL therapy, which can last years, youngsters are taught to gaze into a red light-emitting device for three minutes, twice a day, five days a week.
More than 100,000 pediatric patients are currently receiving therapy for their myopia, which has been shown in studies to be both beneficial and responsible for a notable slowing down of the progression of the condition.
Professor Lisa Ostrin of the University of Houston says that even though the therapy passed clinical testing, it's not always safe and that tighter regulations are necessary because the therapy can cause thermal and photochemical damage to the retina.
While Ostrin's examination of two distinct LLRL devices revealed that both are Class-1 laser products as defined by the International Electrotechnical Commission standards, Ostrin asserts that it is harmful to watch the devices continuously for the three minutes of treatment that are required.
Low-power Class-1 lasers are thought to be safe from all possible risks when briefly and inadvertently observed. Digital video disc (DVD) players, laser printers, and CD players are a few examples of Class-1 lasers. Long-term direct viewing of class-1 lasers is not advised.
"We discovered that the red-light myopia instruments surpass safety thresholds," stated Ostrin. "Three minutes of continuous viewing for both LLRL devices studied here approached or surpassed the luminance dosage MPE, placing photochemical injury to the retina at risk.”