San Diego Photobiomodulation Therapy for Dry AMD
Photobiomodulation for Early to Intermediate Dry AMD – Now Available at Retina Consultants San Diego
Retina Consultants San Diego is the first practice in San Diego to offer noninvasive light therapy for dry age-related macular degeneration using the FDA-authorized Valeda Light Delivery System.
If you’ve been told to “watch and wait” with vitamins and checkups, photobiomodulation may finally give you a way to improve vision and slow progression in early to intermediate dry AMD—without injections or surgery.
Take the next step toward seeing what’s possible. Please complete the contact form below, and our team will review your information and reach out to you to discuss scheduling and next steps.
Please be aware that RCSD cannot ensure that communications sent over the Internet are secure. This includes correspondence sent through this form or by email. If you are uncomfortable with such risks, you may contact us by phone instead of using this form.
A new treatment option for dry AMD
For years, most people with dry age-related macular degeneration have heard the same advice: take AREDS vitamins, eat well, protect your eyes from sunlight, and return every few months for monitoring. While these steps help, it can feel discouraging to watch your vision slowly change with no active treatment.
Photobiomodulation (PBM) changes that. Retina Consultants San Diego now offers PBM therapy with the Valeda Light Delivery System, so patients no longer need to travel out of town for this advanced, FDA-authorized option.
What is photobiomodulation?
PBM uses specific wavelengths of yellow, red, and near‑infrared light to stimulate the “power centers” (mitochondria) in your retinal cells. This light energy helps compromised photoreceptors and retinal pigment epithelium cells produce more energy and function more effectively in the setting of AMD.
Treatment is completely noninvasive. You sit comfortably at the device for a brief session, and when it’s finished, you can resume your normal activities—no injections, no surgery, and no recovery time.
Does it work?
Clinical trials of PBM with Valeda have shown meaningful vision improvements for many patients with intermediate dry AMD. In the LIGHTSITE III study and related data:
- A substantial portion of treated eyes gained letters on the eye chart (often more than one full line).
- Patients showed reduced drusen growth and a lower risk of progressing to advanced stages such as geographic atrophy.
- Overall visual function and quality of life measures improved compared with sham treatment.
Is it safe?
PBM has demonstrated a favorable safety profile across multiple clinical studies. Side effects occurred at similar rates in PBM and sham groups, with no evidence of retinal damage or treatment‑related serious adverse events, and no meaningful impact on color vision.
Who is a good candidate?
PBM with Valeda is intended for people with:
- Early to intermediate dry AMD (not wet AMD)
- Best‑corrected vision roughly in the 20/32 to 20/70 range
- Significant drusen and AMD in both eyes
- Symptoms affecting daily life—reading, driving, recognizing faces, or seeing in dim light
It is not designed for eyes where advanced geographic atrophy already involves the center of vision.
What to expect from treatment
A standard Valeda treatment series consists of brief light sessions (typically three per week) over about 3–5 weeks, for a total of nine treatments per series.
Because PBM supports cell function rather than providing a one‑time “cure,” benefits are maintained with repeat series approximately every four months, similar to maintaining results from regular exercise.
Is this right for you?
PBM isn’t the right fit for every person with dry AMD, but for patients with early to intermediate disease who want to be proactive, it represents the first noninvasive, FDA‑authorized treatment designed to improve visual function before permanent loss occurs.
If you’ve been told to “watch and wait” and are looking for more options, scheduling a consultation is the best way to learn whether PBM could help in your specific case. Our retina specialists will examine your eyes, review imaging, and discuss your goals to see if Valeda therapy is appropriate for you.
Please be aware that RCSD cannot ensure that communications sent over the Internet are secure. This includes correspondence sent through this form or by email. If you are uncomfortable with such risks, you may contact us by phone instead of using this form.