Therapeutic effect and mechanism of far-red/near-infrared light on lens-induced myopia Guinea pigs.

PURPOSE: In order to providing an experimental and theoretical bases for the clinical application of FR/NIR in myopia treatment, this work investigated the therapeutic efficacy and underlying mechanisms of far-red/near-infrared light (FR/NIR) intervention in lens-induced myopia (LIM) progression using a LIM guinea pig model.

METHODS

In this study, 2-week-old healthy tricolor guinea pigs were randomly assigned to three groups: normal control (NC) group, LIM group and LIM treated with FR/NIR (LIM + FR/NIR) group. The guinea pigs in the LIM and LIM + FR/NIR groups wore a -6.00D lenses on the right eye to establish the LIM model. The guinea pigs in the LIM + FR/NIR group received FR/NIR treatment, while those in the NC group had no intervention. The right eyes were used to experimental study, and the experimental period was 3 weeks. Before and after the experiment, ocular parameters such as refractive status and axial length were measured. The related indexes of the retina and choroid were evaluated, and hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining was performed to observe the changes in retinal morphological structure. Transcriptome sequencing, RT-qPCR, and immunofluorescence staining were employed to elucidate the cell and molecular mechanisms.

RESULTS

After 3 weeks of intervention, the LIM group developed a relative myopia shift of -6.83D, significantly higher than the -3.66 D shift in the LIM + FR/NIR group. Compared with the NC group, significant changes were observed in multiple ocular parameters of the LIM group. However, the progression was attenuated by FR/NIR treatment. The LIM + FR/NIR group owned the increased retinal/choroidal thickness, the enhanced choroidal blood perfusion, and the preserved retinal morphological structure that resembles to physiological norms. The results of transcriptome sequencing and related testament indicated that FR/NIR could regulate the expression of photoreceptor-related genes and improve photoreceptor function.

CONCLUSION

FR/NIR can effectively suppresses myopia progression in LIM guinea pigs, maintain retinal/choroidal integrity, and ameliorate ischemic-hypoxic microenvironments. Its mechanism of action may involve regulating photoreceptor-related genes to improve photoreceptor function.