Near-Infrared and Red-Light Photobiomodulation for Ocular Aging and Diseases: A Narrative Review.
Level 5 - mechanism / opinion, no new human data
Narrative review synthesizing existing literature without systematic methodology or new human data.
PubMed 42323782 · doi:10.1007/s40123-026-01427-9
What was done
This narrative review synthesized experimental studies, clinical trials, and observational reports identified through a structured database search on near-infrared and red-light photobiomodulation (PBM) for ophthalmic diseases and ocular aging. The authors evaluated proposed mitochondria-centered mechanisms (including cytochrome c oxidase-mediated signaling, nitric oxide release, and reactive oxygen species-driven hormesis) and analyzed clinical evidence across various indications, with a focus on dry age-related macular degeneration, dry eye disease due to meibomian gland dysfunction, and myopia.
What was found
The abstract reports no quantitative outcome numbers or effect sizes. The authors found that while mechanistic data support biological plausibility and suggest potential functional or anatomical signals in selected conditions (dry AMD, dry eye, and myopia), evidence for other ophthalmic indications remains preliminary or exploratory. Clinical data are marked by substantial heterogeneity in devices, wavelengths, dosimetry, and protocols. Short-term tolerability is generally favorable, but long-term safety and overall clinical efficacy remain insufficiently defined.
Why it matters
Photobiomodulation offers a non-invasive, mitochondria-targeted adjunctive strategy for ocular conditions with limited therapeutic options, but lack of protocol standardization currently prevents routine clinical adoption.
Limits
As a narrative review, it lacks a formal systematic review protocol and meta-analytic synthesis. The underlying literature is limited by high variability in treatment parameters, small sample sizes, heterogeneous study designs, and a lack of long-term safety data.