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About the Light-Based Treatment Studied for Dry AMD

Welcome to Zollara Vision Services. We're here to help you understand the information available about emerging approaches being studied for dry age-related macular degeneration.

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Understanding Your Options

Why People Ask About Treatment

If you've been diagnosed with dry AMD, you may be wondering whether any treatments are available. This is one of the most common questions that people with dry AMD and their families ask their eye care professionals.

Research into dry AMD has continued to advance in recent years. Scientists and clinicians around the world have been exploring new approaches that may offer different options for people living with this condition. Whilst historically there have been limited treatment options specifically for dry AMD, ongoing studies have examined various methods that work in different ways.

Understanding what has been studied—and what the evidence shows—can help you have more informed conversations with your optician or ophthalmologist about your individual situation.

Important: This information is provided for educational purposes only. It does not constitute medical advice, and treatment decisions should always be made in consultation with qualified eye care professionals.

Treatment Overview

What Is This Light-Based Treatment?

Valeda® Treatment

A light-based approach that has been studied in clinical trials for people with dry AMD

Specific Wavelengths

Uses carefully selected wavelengths of light directed at the retina

Non-Invasive

Does not involve injections, medications, or surgical procedures

Valeda® is a medical device that delivers light treatment which has been investigated in research studies involving people with dry AMD. The treatment uses specific wavelengths of visible light, which are delivered through a device designed for ophthalmic use.

Unlike some treatments for wet AMD, which may involve regular injections into the eye, this light-based approach is delivered externally. You simply look into a device whilst seated comfortably. The treatment does not require anaesthesia, does not involve taking medications, and does not require any incisions or surgical intervention.

Clinical studies have explored how this approach may be used as part of the management of dry AMD. The research has examined various aspects including safety, how the treatment is tolerated, and what happens during and after treatment sessions.

How the Treatment Is Thought to Work

The light used in Valeda® treatment is intended to interact with cells in the retina—the light-sensitive tissue at the back of the eye that is affected by AMD.

Researchers have proposed that specific wavelengths of light may support certain cellular processes in the retina. The exact mechanisms are still being studied, and research continues to explore how light at particular wavelengths might influence retinal cell function.

It's important to understand that this is an area of ongoing scientific investigation. Whilst studies have examined how the treatment works and what effects have been observed, the complete picture of how light-based treatment influences AMD is still being developed through continued research.

This treatment approach does not reverse damage that has already occurred, and it is not described as a cure for dry AMD. Instead, research has looked at whether it may play a role in how the condition is managed over time.

What to Expect

What Treatment Sessions Involve

01

Comfortable Positioning

You'll be seated comfortably in front of the treatment device, similar to other eye examinations you may have experienced

02

Looking into the Device

You'll be asked to look into the device whilst it delivers the light treatment to your eye

03

Guided Throughout

A trained professional will be with you during the session, providing guidance and ensuring you're comfortable

04

Short Sessions

Individual treatment sessions are relatively brief

05

Course of Treatment

The treatment is typically delivered over multiple sessions as part of a structured course

During and After Sessions

The experience of receiving light-based treatment is generally straightforward. You won't feel the light itself, though you will see it—that's how the treatment works. Some people notice a temporary after-image following treatment, similar to what you might experience after looking at a bright light. This typically fades within a short period.

Your eye care professional will explain what you might notice during and after treatment sessions, and will be available to answer any questions you may have about the experience.

Safety and What Research Shows

Clinical Studies

Valeda® treatment has been evaluated in clinical studies designed to assess both safety and how it is tolerated by people with dry AMD. These studies have followed established protocols for medical research.

What People May Notice

Some individuals experience a brief after-image due to the bright light used during treatment. This is a known effect of light exposure and typically resolves quickly. Your eye care professional can explain what to expect.

Individual Variation

As with many medical approaches, results and experiences can vary between individuals. What happens in clinical studies represents findings across groups of people, but individual responses may differ.

Important Information

This treatment is not a cure for dry AMD. Age-related macular degeneration is a progressive condition, and currently no treatment can reverse damage that has already occurred or guarantee that the condition will not progress.

Research has explored whether light-based treatment may play a role in how dry AMD is managed, but outcomes vary and not everyone will experience the same results.

Discussing This with Your Optician

If you're interested in learning more about whether light-based treatment has been studied in ways that may be relevant to your situation, the best next step is to speak with your optician or ophthalmologist.

Your eye care professional can help you understand:

  • Whether this treatment approach has been studied for situations similar to yours
  • What the research evidence shows
  • How this fits with other aspects of managing your eye health
  • What questions you should consider when thinking about any treatment option

Your optician knows your individual circumstances and can provide advice tailored to your specific needs. They can also explain whether this treatment is available in your area and what would be involved if you wished to explore it further.

This website provides general information only and does not replace medical advice. Zollara Vision Services does not diagnose or treat patients. All treatment decisions are made by qualified eye care professionals. Valeda® is a trademark of LumiThera, Inc.

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