What is

MACULAR DEGENERATION?

Age-related macular degeneration, or AMD, is an eye condition that affects the macula—the part of your retina responsible for sharp, central vision. This is the vision you use to read, recognize faces, and see fine details.

To understand how AMD affects your vision, it helps to first understand how the eye works. At the back of your eye is the retina—a light-sensitive layer that acts like the film in a camera. It captures the images you see and sends them to your brain through the optic nerve. In the center of the retina is the macula, which is packed with special cells called photoreceptors. These cells are responsible for the clear, central vision you rely on every day.

Photoreceptors are some of the hardest-working cells in the body. They need a constant supply of energy and nutrients to function—and they produce a lot of waste in the process. Supporting these cells is a thin layer of tissue called the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE), which rests on a structure known as Bruch’s membrane. The RPE helps nourish the photoreceptors and clears away waste.

In AMD, this support system starts to break down. Damage to the RPE and Bruch’s membrane leads to the gradual loss of photoreceptors in the macula, which can affect your ability to see clearly.

There are two main types of AMD:

• Dry AMD, the more common form, happens slowly over time as the cells in the macula thin and waste builds up.

• Wet AMD is less common but more serious. It involves abnormal blood vessels growing under the retina, which can leak and cause rapid vision loss.

How does

VALEDA WORK?

The Valeda Light Delivery System is a non-invasive treatment designed to help patients with macular degeneration by supporting the health of the retina. This therapy uses a cutting-edge technology called photobiomodulation—a process where specific wavelengths of light are used to stimulate and restore cellular function in the eye.

Think of it as "light therapy" for your eyes. Just like sunlight helps plants grow, this gentle, controlled light helps energize the cells in your retina—especially the ones damaged by AMD. Over time, this may help improve how your retinal cells work and how well your eyes function.

Valeda uses three carefully chosen wavelengths of light, each with a specific job to support your eye health:

Near-Infrared Light (850 nm)

• Supports healthy electron transfer within cells

• Reduces inflammation and helps protect against cell death

• Stimulates mitochondrial function, increasing cellular energy

Red Light (660 nm)

• Helps your cells bind oxygen more effectively

• Reduces inflammation and prevents cell damage

• Boosts energy production in retinal cells by activating the mitochondria (the "powerhouses" of cells)

Yellow Light (590 nm)

• Encourages your body to produce more nitric oxide

• Helps widen blood vessels, improving blood flow

• Enhances the delivery of oxygen and nutrients to the retina

By combining these light wavelengths, Valeda aims to slow down the progression of dry AMD, reduce inflammation, and improve the health of your retinal cells—potentially helping you maintain better vision for longer.

WHAT DOES TREATMENT INVOLVE?

Valeda Light Therapy is a simple, in-office treatment designed with your comfort in mind. Each session takes only a few minutes and is completely non-invasive—no needles, no surgery, and no discomfort.

Here’s what you can expect during your visit:

1. Quick and Easy Treatments:
   You’ll sit comfortably with your chin and forehead positioned against a rest in the machine while a special light is directed toward your eyes. The treatment is gentle and typically lasts about 5 minutes per eye.

2. Painless and Relaxing:
   There is no pain, heat, or discomfort during the therapy. Most patients describe it as relaxing or neutral, and there is no need for anesthesia.

3. No Downtime:
   After your session, you can return to your normal activities right away—no recovery time needed.

4. Treatment Schedule:
   Valeda is given in a series of cycles. One cycle involves nine individual treatments over a three week period. Three cycles are advised each year, every four months. The current data recommends six cycles of treatment completed over a two year period for the best clinical outcome.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Is Valeda safe?

Yes. Valeda uses safe, low-level light that does not damage the eye. The technology is backed by clinical research and is authorized for use in treating dry AMD.

Does it improve vision?

Some patients report improvements in visual function, such as sharper vision or better contrast sensitivity. More importantly, the therapy may help slow down further vision loss by supporting healthier retinal cells.

Will I need ongoing treatments?

Like many eye conditions, AMD is progressive. Your doctor may recommend maintenance sessions depending on how your eyes respond to treatment and the severity of your condition. Clinical trials are currently being conducted to determine the number of treatments needed for best outcomes. The current data recommends two years of treatment, and we will adjust our protocol as new data becomes available.

Publications &

CLINICAL TRIALS

What was observed

• After ~13 months, patients treated with Valeda showed an average gain of 5.4 letters vs ~3.0 letters in the sham (placebo‑light) group.
• At 24 months, treated eyes maintained a gain of ~5 or more letters (~ one line on the standard ETDRS eye chart) over baseline.

• Around 55% of Valeda‑treated eyes achieved a gain of 5 letters or more by 13 months.
• In extension studies, more than 60% of subjects retained vision benefit (over one line) after additional treatments, including after gaps in treatment.

• New cases of geographic atrophy (GA) were significantly lower in treated eyes vs sham: about 5‑6% in PBM (Valeda) vs ~21‑24% in sham group at certain points.
• Treated eyes showed little to no increase in drusen volume, while sham eyes showed measurable increases.
• In the 4.5‑year extension study, many patients maintained vision benefit during a 20‑month treatment gap and recovered more vision when retreatment resumed.

• The therapy is delivered in cycles: e.g. nine treatments over 3‑5 weeks each cycle, repeated every 4 months, in the LIGHTSITE III trial.
• Maintenance of benefit over 24 months, and data now out to 4.5 years in some patients in the extension trials.
• Even when there was a treatment pause of ~20 months, patients still maintained some benefit and regained more on retreatment.

• Overall safety was good. No serious device‑related adverse events. Most side effects were mild and transient.
• Some “ocular adverse events” (e.g. dry eye, foreign body sensation, eye discomfort) occurred but were generally mild and manageable.
• High patient compliance in trials.

What this means for patients

Gaining 5 letters roughly equals moving up one line on the vision chart. This might translate into being able to read a slightly smaller print or seeing a little more clearly in daily life. Improved vision might be especially noticeable for reading, recognizing faces, or seeing details.

Many patients may see noticeable but moderate improvements. Over half of patients saw improvement, so it’s a realistic outcome—but not everyone will see big changes. Drops or increases depend on disease stage, baseline vision, and individual response.

This suggests Valeda may do more than just improve vision temporarily—it might help slow the progression of disease, delay or reduce worsening (like GA), and preserve structure of the retina. That’s important for long‑term vision stability.

This tells patients that this is not a one‑and‑done treatment. To get and keep the benefit, repeated treatments over months and years are needed. It is possible to maintain benefit even if treatments are temporarily paused.

Patients considering Valeda can have confidence that serious risks are rare. Mild discomfort is possible, but most people tolerated the therapy well in studies. Good adherence to treatment schedules improves outcomes.

Helpful Links to Articles and Publications

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10885856

https://www.healio.com/news/ophthalmology/20230316/vision-improvements-sustained-with-photobiomodulation-at-24-months-in-dry-amd-trial

https://glance.eyesoneyecare.com/press-releases/lumithera-sustained-vision-improvement-24-months-in-dry-amd-subjects-us-lightsite-iii-trial/

https://www.macularsociety.org/about/media/news/2024/march/encouraging-results-from-light-therapy-study-for-dry-amd/

https://eyewire.news/news/lumitheras-phase-3b-extension-trial-topline-results-show-extended-vision-improvement-in-dry-amd-subjects?c4src=article:infinite-scroll

What does

VALEDA COST?

Unfortunately, this treatment is not currently covered by insurance.

The price of each nine-treatment cycle is $1200. Three treatment cycles are required per year, for a total of $3600 per year.

If you commit to two years, we are pleased to offer a reduction in the price. A two year commitment would cost a total of $7000.

We are pleased to offer CareCredit for help with financing. Visit our Financing page for more information and to determine if this is the right option for you.