What to Know About Light Therapy for Dry Macular Degeneration

Light therapy, or photobiomodulation, is a new approach some eye doctors are using to protect vision in people with dry age-related macular degeneration (AMD). For patients in the early stages of the disease, this noninvasive treatment uses gentle red light to help the cells in the eye work better.

In a recent BrightFocus Foundation Macular Chat, retina specialist Dr. Richard Rosen explained how this innovative treatment works, who it may help, and what patients should expect.

Here’s what we learned.

What Is Light Therapy?

Light therapy uses special colors of red and near-infrared light to help the eye’s cells make more energy. These cells rely on small components inside them called mitochondria, which act like tiny batteries. The red light helps the mitochondria work better, which may help protect the cells over time.

This kind of therapy has already been used in other areas of medicine, like helping wounds heal and reducing pain. Scientists have studied red light for many years. Now it’s being used as a way to slow vision loss in AMD.

How Does It Work for Macular Degeneration?

In people with dry AMD, the retina (the part of the eye that senses light) slowly breaks down. In clinical studies, a device called the Valeda® Light Delivery System was used to shine red and near-infrared light into the eye in a very controlled way.

In these studies, people who received light therapy:

• Had a slower progression toward serious vision loss like geographic atrophy

• Showed a reduction in drusen, the waste that builds up in the retina

• Improved vision on eye charts, with some gaining two or more lines of sight

These results were seen in a clinical trial and may not happen for everyone.

Who Might Benefit?

The Valeda system has been FDA-authorized for people with early to intermediate dry AMD, based upon recent clinical trials. These are people who still have fairly good vision (for example, between 20/30 and 20/100).

It was not authorized for wet AMD, which is treated using eye injections. Further studies will be needed to see the effect of light therapy on wet AMD.

Some people with geographic atrophy, an advanced stage of dry AMD, may still benefit, especially if the damage has not fully destroyed the center of their vision. But light therapy likely won’t reverse vision loss that has already happened.

Your eye doctor can help determine if you’re a good candidate based on your type and stage of AMD.

What Is Treatment Like?

The treatment is noninvasive and painless. It only takes about four minutes per eye. You’ll sit at a machine and look into the light, sometimes with eyes open and sometimes with them closed. You don’t need dilating eye drops, and the entire session is usually done in less than 10 minutes.

In clinical trials, people received a full course of treatment every four months, and results lasted for at least two years when the treatment was repeated on schedule.

Are There Any Side Effects?

When used by a trained eye doctor, light therapy appears to be very safe. In the clinical studies, no serious side effects were reported. The key is to make sure the treatment is done properly.

Using red light at home or without guidance could cause problems. Some devices sold online are not well tested or monitored, and it’s possible to overdo it. For now, experts recommend getting light therapy only from a qualified eye care provider.

Can I Buy a Light Therapy Device for Home?

Not at this time. The Valeda system must be used in a medical office by a trained professional. Some people have seen red light glasses or lamps sold online, but these have not been studied or cleared for treating AMD.

Dr. Rosen cautions that without careful monitoring, it’s hard to know if these devices are safe—or helpful. Stick to your doctor’s advice before trying any red-light products on your own.

Is It Covered by Insurance?

Medicare and most private insurance plans do not currently cover light therapy for AMD. That means you will have to pay out of pocket, and the cost can be high.

However, because the treatment has only recently received FDA authorization, insurance coverage could change in the future. It’s always a good idea to ask your doctor’s office or the company that makes the device if there are payment plans or support options available.

What’s Next for Light Therapy?

Researchers are studying light therapy for other eye diseases too, such as glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy, and central serous retinopathy. They’re also working to better understand when treatment should start, how often it should be repeated, and how it might work alongside other therapies like AREDS2 vitamins or injections.

In the future, light therapy may become part of a more personalized care plan for people at risk of vision loss.

Bottom Line

Light therapy isn’t a cure for AMD, but it’s a promising new option for people with early or intermediate dry AMD. In clinical studies, it helped some people see better and may slow the disease from getting worse.

If you or a loved one has AMD, talk to your eye doctor to see if light therapy might be a good fit for you.

Want to learn more? Listen to the full Macular Chats episode with Dr. Rosen and register for upcoming episodes.