Treatment of Dry AMD
What is Age-Related Macular Degeneration?
Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD) is an eye disease that can blur your central vision. It happens when aging causes damage to the macula, the part of the eye that controls sharp, straight-ahead vision. The macula is part of the retina, the light-sensitive tissue at the back of the eye. AMD is the most common form of macular degeneration in the UK, affecting over 700,000 people. The number of people with AMD in the UK is expected to more than double by 2050, reaching 1.3 million.
AMD is classified into two main types: dry and wet. Most people with AMD have dry AMD, which progresses slowly as the macula thins over time. Wet AMD, although less common, leads to faster vision loss due to abnormal blood vessel growth in the back of the eye, causing leakage and scarring. Early treatment is critical for wet AMD. Dry AMD has traditionally had no treatment, but new treatments like Valeda Light Therapy are offering hope.
Risk Factors for AMD
Non-modifiable Risk Factors:
- Age: The older you are, the greater the risk of developing AMD.
- Gender: Women are at higher risk, although this is partly due to women living longer.
- Family History: A genetic predisposition increases the risk of developing AMD.
- Ethnicity: People of European descent have the highest incidence, followed by those of Asian and African descent.
Modifiable Risk Factors:
- Smoking: Increases the risk of AMD by two to four times and restricts oxygen flow to the eye.
- Diet: A balanced diet rich in antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals is essential to maintain eye health.
- Hypertension: Can restrict oxygen flow to the eye and increase the risk of AMD.
- UV Light Exposure: Prolonged exposure to UV light may increase the risk of AMD, though this has not been conclusively proven.
What is Valeda Light Therapy?
Valeda Light Therapy is a pioneering treatment for Dry AMD. It offers a non-invasive, painless solution using photobiomodulation, a low-level light therapy that stimulates cellular activity within the retina. This therapy targets the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) cells with specific wavelengths of light, energizing the cells and slowing the degenerative process associated with AMD.
The therapy uses three wavelengths of LED light to stimulate the mitochondria, which increases their energy production. This helps preserve vision and prevent further macular damage. Valeda treatment involves sessions three times a week over three to four weeks, with follow-up treatments every few months if necessary. It has shown significant improvements in vision, with no reported side effects after over 450,000 treatments worldwide.
How Does Valeda Light Therapy Work?
Valeda Light Therapy works by using different wavelengths of LED light to target cells and stimulate their activity, slowing down the degenerative process. It enhances energy production within the cells of the eye, promoting cellular health, which is crucial for maintaining optimal vision. Patients typically receive treatments three times per week for three weeks.
Treatment Overview
Valeda treatment is delivered in a series of 9 sessions per eye over a three-week period. Each session lasts less than 5 minutes per eye. Clinical trials have shown significant improvements in visual function following treatment, which is usually administered three times per week for three to four weeks. This is the recommended protocol for patients with Dry AMD.
Expected Results
Patients can expect gradual improvements in visual function, stabilization, or slowing of AMD progression, and an enhanced ability to perform daily tasks. Photobiomodulation has been shown to reduce the drusen (protein deposits) associated with AMD, improving overall eye health and functionality.
Frequently Asked Questions about Valeda Treatment
1. Who is suitable for the Valeda treatment?
Valeda is indicated for use in the treatment of Dry Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD). Those individuals receiving treatment should have an eye care professional’s diagnosis of Dry AMD. The stage of Dry AMD may impact the benefits of the treatment. Your eye care professional will discuss your diagnosis and treatment plan with you.
2. Who is NOT suitable for the Valeda treatment?
As a precaution, patients have not been tested and should not be treated with Valeda if they have any known reactions to light exposure, or if they have a history of light-activated central nervous system disorders (e.g., epilepsy, migraine). In addition, patients should not receive treatment within 30 days of using any photosensitizing medications (e.g., topicals, injectables) without first consulting with their eye care professional.
3. What’s involved with the Valeda treatment? Do I need any special preparation?
If you wear glasses or contact lenses, you will be asked to remove them prior to receiving treatment. Your eyes will not be dilated for the Valeda treatment. You will be seated comfortably in front of the Valeda Light Delivery System. The person administering the treatment will guide you through each step of the treatment, which takes less than 5 minutes. Treatment for both eyes will take less than 10 minutes.
Clinical trials have shown benefits in visual function following treatment 3 times a week for 3-4 weeks. This is the recommended treatment protocol for patients with Dry AMD. In a recent clinical study, patients received no more than 3 treatments a week and no more than one treatment in a 24-hour period. If you miss a treatment, it is recommended to make up the session within the 3-4 week treatment series period.
4. What are the clinical benefits of the Valeda treatment?
Treatment with Valeda improves overall visual function, including improvement in vision when scored on the eyechart and improved detailed vision. Photographic imaging also shows improvement in scans of the eye when assessed for drusen (protein deposits that are observed in the diseased eye).
5. What can I expect during and after the Valeda treatment?
Bright lights can produce an afterimage following treatments. This is also known as photostresxs, where the cells that “see” a specific color become fatigued. Photostress recovery may take a few minutes after treatment. This phenomenon may be seen immediately following the treatment, but you will recover in a couple of minutes. You will be able to take part in normal activities following the treatment.
6. What are the potential side effects of the Valeda treatment?
Photobiomodulation (PBM) is a low-level light-based therapy that helps cells improve their function. PBM has been used in many different diseases and disorders for decades with a positive safety profile. In clinical trials in Dry AMD patients, the use of light therapy has also been shown to be safe. Valeda is designed to be eye safe. There have been no treatment-related side effects noted in previous studies with the Valeda treatment.
7. What if I have cataracts?
Patients can receive the Valeda treatment if they have cataracts.