What Happens During Red Light Therapy for Dry Macular Degeneration? By Dr Rupal Morjaria, Consultant Ophthalmologist

If you have dry age-related macular degeneration and have recently heard about red light therapy, you may be wondering what the treatment actually involves.

It is an understandable question, particularly because treatments involving the eyes can sound more daunting than they actually are.

Red light therapy for dry macular degeneration is medically known as photobiomodulation (PBM). Unlike many treatments used within retinal medicine, it does not involve an injection into the eye or an operation.

Instead, carefully controlled wavelengths of light are delivered to the eye using specialist medical equipment.

As a Consultant Ophthalmologist and Medical Retina Specialist, one of the most important parts of discussing any new treatment with patients is making sure they understand not only why it may be considered, but what they can actually expect when receiving it.

The short answer

Photobiomodulation is a non-invasive light based treatment.

The Valeda Light Delivery System, which has been studied in people with dry age-related macular degeneration (AMD), delivers specific wavelengths of light to the eye during a short treatment session.

You sit in front of the device and look into it while the treatment is delivered.

There are no injections and no surgical procedure involved.

Treatment is delivered as a course of sessions rather than as a single treatment, with the exact treatment plan determined according to the clinical protocol being followed.

What happens before red light therapy?

Before considering treatment, the first step is understanding exactly what is happening within your retina.

Not everybody who has been told they have macular degeneration will necessarily have the same type or stage of the condition.

A retinal assessment may include checking your vision, examining the back of your eyes and using Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) to obtain detailed images of the retina.

OCT allows us to examine the individual layers of the retina and identify changes associated with dry AMD.

This is important because the evidence for photobiomodulation has particularly focused on people with intermediate dry AMD.

The aim is therefore not simply to begin treatment because somebody has a diagnosis of AMD. It is first to understand the condition within their individual eyes and whether photobiomodulation may be appropriate.

What happens during the treatment?

If photobiomodulation is considered appropriate, treatment is delivered using specialist medical technology.

One system developed specifically for this purpose is the Valeda Light Delivery System.

During treatment, you are positioned in front of the machine and look into the device.

Valeda uses carefully controlled wavelengths of light that are directed towards the eye according to a specific treatment sequence.

This makes the experience very different from some of the treatments patients may already associate with retinal disease.

What is the red light actually doing?

The purpose of photobiomodulation is not simply to shine a bright red light into the eye.

Specific wavelengths of light are used with the aim of influencing cellular processes within the retina.

Inside our cells are structures called mitochondria, which play an important role in producing the energy cells need to function.

The retina has particularly high energy requirements. As we age, mitochondrial dysfunction and oxidative stress are among the processes believed to contribute to retinal degeneration.

Photobiomodulation is thought to stimulate cellular activity and potentially help stressed retinal cells produce and use energy more effectively.

The aim is therefore to support the function and resilience of retinal cells rather than to replace retinal cells that have already been permanently lost.

How long does red light therapy take?

Photobiomodulation is not delivered as one single treatment.

The clinical studies investigating Valeda have used a structured course of treatment involving multiple sessions.

Each individual treatment visit itself is relatively short, but patients return for a series of sessions according to the treatment protocol.

This is important to understand before beginning treatment. Red light therapy for dry AMD should not be thought of as having one session and immediately determining whether it has worked.

It is a planned course of treatment, with the retina and vision monitored over a duration of one to two years.

Does red light therapy hurt?

There are no injections into the eye and no operation involved in photobiomodulation.

The treatment involves looking into the specialist device while controlled light is delivered to the eye.

For patients who may already be familiar with eye injections or surgical treatment, this is an important practical difference.

If you have concerns about the treatment experience, these can be discussed beforehand so that you understand exactly what will happen during your appointment.

Can I use a red light therapy device at home instead?

No. The photobiomodulation being investigated and used for dry AMD should not be confused with household red lights, beauty devices or general red light therapy products.

Medical photobiomodulation uses specific wavelengths of light delivered in a controlled way using specialist technology.

Patients should therefore not attempt to recreate retinal photobiomodulation themselves using consumer red light products.

If you are considering treatment for dry AMD, the appropriate starting point is a retinal assessment rather than purchasing a red light device yourself.

Why specialist assessment matters

The practical treatment itself may be relatively straightforward, but deciding whether somebody should receive it requires more consideration.

Dry AMD can vary considerably between patients.

Your stage of macular degeneration, vision, retinal appearance, OCT findings and wider eye health all need to be considered before deciding whether photobiomodulation may be appropriate.

As a Consultant Ophthalmologist and Medical Retina Specialist, I assess these findings together so that patients can understand their condition and the options that may be suitable for their individual eyes.

The bottom line

If you are considering red light therapy for dry macular degeneration, the treatment process is relatively straightforward:

• Your retina is assessed first to establish the type and stage of AMD

• If appropriate, treatment is delivered using a specialist photobiomodulation device

• There are no injections or surgical incisions

• Treatment is delivered across a planned course of sessions

• Your vision and retina can be monitored over time

• Medical photobiomodulation should not be confused with red light devices designed for home use

Ultimately, the question is not simply:

“What happens during red light therapy?”

But:

“Is photobiomodulation appropriate for my eyes, and what would my treatment plan involve?”

Ready to take the next step?

If you have dry macular degeneration and would like to understand more about photobiomodulation and what treatment involves, a specialist retinal assessment can help establish the type and stage of your condition.

Following a detailed assessment, I can explain your retinal findings, discuss whether photobiomodulation may be appropriate and talk you through what you could expect from treatment.

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