Optimizing Daily Light Exposure in Primary School Children to Prevent and Control Myopia Using Classroom Lighting and a Parent Smartphone App

What this Trial Is About

Researchers are evaluating whether optimizing daily light exposure in primary school children aged 7 to 10 can better prevent and control myopia. The study also aims to understand how light exposure affects childrens sleep and cognitive performance, including impulse control, working memory, reaction time, and processing speed. This interventional trial involves three groups to compare different approaches to light exposure. The study includes three arms a technical intervention with classroom lighting mimicking sunlight using fluctuating full-spectrum LEDs, a digital intervention where parents use a smartphone app synced to a child-worn light and activity sensor to encourage outdoor activities, and a control group with standard classroom lighting and a sham app. The interventions last for one academic year, during which children wear the light and activity sensor watches as much as possible, except during water activities. Participants will have their myopia progression monitored every 6 months using eye measurements such as cycloplegic auto-refraction, axial length, and choroidal thickness. Cognitive assessments occur every 3 months through tablet-based tasks in classrooms. Sleep quantity and efficiency are tracked continuously via wrist actigraphy for at least one week per month. Additional measures include retinal perfusion, corneal curvature and thickness, height, weight, and visual acuity. This comprehensive monitoring takes place throughout the one-year study period to assess the impact of light exposure interventions.

Optimizing Light Exposure for Myopia Prevention and Control (LightSPAN)