By: Jeffry Gerson, OD, FAAO- Medical Director for the Macular Degeneration Association
Photobiomodulation (PBM) is a new treatment that was recently approved (November 2024) by the United States Food & Drug Administration (FDA) for patients with dry age-related degeneration (AMD) to improve vision. PBM utilizes specific light wavelengths to improve the retinal cells’ function. The Valeda® Light Delivery System (Valeda) delivers multiwavelength PBM treatment with three different wavelengths that act on differing targets to improve overall retinal health and disease outcomes. Many physicians and patients are excited that an earlier, non-invasive treatment for patients with dry AMD is available.
The FDA authorization of Valeda reflects an extensive review of clinical trial data evaluated for safety, efficacy, and robustness of study results, all of which support the positive utility of this treatment for patients with dry AMD.
Multiple trials have assessed the safety and how well Valeda works. At Month 24, approximately 63.7% of PBM-treated eyes responded with significant vision gain, of which 20% could see approximately two lines better on the standard eye chart! The trial also noted other benefits such as reduced disease progression and improved quality of life. Further, the treatment was very safe and required nothing invasive like injections or surgery!
Valeda is an in-office treatment device that some eye doctors will have in their offices. Not only is this not a one-time treatment, but that if applied according to the study, patients will need to be treated 9 times over a 3-week period, up to 3 times a year. Each treatment should take less than 10 minutes and is painless and easy!
It is very exciting to have yet another option in the fight against AMD, especially one that can be used earlier than injections. If you are interested, ask your eye care provider if they know of an office with this treatment option!
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