For decades, patients diagnosed with dry age-related macular degeneration faced a frustrating reality: watch and wait as their central vision gradually deteriorated with few effective treatment options. This progressive eye condition left many feeling helpless as reading became harder, faces became difficult to recognize, and daily activities grew increasingly challenging.
That landscape has undergone a fundamental change with the introduction of Valeda photobiomodulation therapy, the first FDA-authorized light therapy specifically designed to improve vision in patients with dry AMD. Keep reading to learn more about how Valeda can help patients with dry age-related macular degeneration and find out whether it could be right for you.
What is Dry Age-Related Macular Degeneration?
Dry age-related macular degeneration (AMD) affects the macula, the central portion of the retina responsible for sharp, detailed vision. It develops when the macula gradually thins with age, and protein deposits called drusen accumulate beneath the retina.
This deterioration impairs the macula’s ability to process light from the central visual field, making it difficult to see fine details directly in front of you. While peripheral vision typically remains intact, the progressive nature of dry AMD can significantly impact your quality of life, affecting everything from reading and driving to recognizing the faces of loved ones.
Dry AMD represents approximately 80% of all macular degeneration cases, making it the more common but historically less treatable form of this condition. The gradual vision loss associated with dry AMD occurs as light-sensitive retinal cells slowly lose function, leaving patients with limited options until now.
What Is Valeda?
Valeda photobiomodulation therapy is a revolutionary approach to treating dry AMD through the precise application of therapeutic light. The LumiThera Valeda Light Delivery System delivers carefully calibrated wavelengths of light directly to retinal cells affected by dry AMD, stimulating cellular function and promoting tissue repair within the retina.
This non-invasive therapy works at the cellular level to address the underlying mechanisms contributing to vision loss in dry AMD. Unlike traditional treatments that simply monitor disease progression, Valeda actively intervenes to support retinal health and potentially improve visual outcomes.
The treatment involves no injections, no surgical procedures, and requires no pupil dilation. Each session is performed by specially trained eye doctors at Loden Vision Centers, who understand the precise parameters needed to maximize therapeutic benefits while ensuring patient safety and comfort.
The Science Behind Valeda’s Effectiveness
Valeda photobiomodulation addresses dry AMD through multiple interconnected mechanisms that target the root causes of vision deterioration. Understanding these processes helps explain why this therapy has shown such promising results in clinical studies:
Enhanced Retinal Blood Flow
One of the primary benefits of Valeda therapy lies in its ability to improve blood circulation to the posterior segment of the eye. In dry AMD, compromised blood flow restricts the delivery of essential nutrients and oxygen to light-sensitive retinal cells.
Clinical studies have demonstrated that Valeda light therapy significantly improves retinal blood circulation, helping restore the nutrient supply these cells need to function optimally. By improving the delivery of oxygen and essential nutrients while facilitating the removal of waste products, Valeda helps create cellular conditions that support long-term retinal health.
Cellular Protection and Repair
The therapeutic wavelengths used in Valeda treatment have been shown to support the health of both photoreceptor cells and the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) that supports them. These light wavelengths stimulate cellular repair mechanisms and help protect against the oxidative stress that contributes to the progression of AMD.
Research suggests that photobiomodulation can enhance mitochondrial function in retinal cells, thereby improving their energy production and overall cellular health. This may help slow the progression of dry AMD while potentially allowing some recovery of function in compromised but not completely damaged cells.
Visual Function Improvements
Clinical evidence demonstrates that Valeda therapy can lead to measurable improvements in visual function for many dry AMD patients. These improvements often manifest as enhanced reading ability, better color discrimination, and improved overall visual clarity.
The therapy’s ability to address multiple aspects of retinal dysfunction simultaneously helps explain why patients often experience comprehensive improvements in their visual experience rather than isolated benefits in specific areas of vision.
What to Expect During Valeda Treatment
At Loden Vision Centers, every Valeda treatment is delivered as part of a comprehensive care approach tailored to each patient’s specific needs and stage of AMD. The treatment process begins with a thorough evaluation to determine candidacy and develop an individualized treatment plan.
During treatment, patients simply sit comfortably while the Valeda device delivers precisely calibrated light therapy to the affected areas of the retina. The entire process is non-invasive, painless, and requires no recovery time, allowing patients to return to their normal activities immediately.
Most patients benefit from a series of treatments to achieve optimal outcomes. Your exact treatment schedule will be determined based on individual factors, including the severity of AMD, overall eye health, and your treatment response.
Is Valeda Right for Me?
Valeda therapy has been specifically developed and approved for patients diagnosed with dry age-related macular degeneration. Ideal candidates typically include individuals who have been diagnosed with early to intermediate dry AMD and are experiencing gradual vision changes related to their condition.
Patients who prefer non-invasive treatment approaches often find Valeda particularly appealing, as it offers therapeutic benefits without the need for injections or surgical procedures. Those seeking proactive management of their condition, rather than simply monitoring its progression, often respond well to this treatment approach.
The therapy is especially valuable for patients who want to take an active role in preserving their vision while maintaining their quality of life. Many patients appreciate having a treatment option that addresses their condition directly rather than simply accepting inevitable vision loss.
Safeguard Your Sight With Valeda
For patients who have long faced the prospect of inevitable vision loss due to dry AMD, Valeda provides an opportunity to actively address their condition and potentially improve their visual outcomes. At Loden Vision Centers, we combine this advanced technology with years of medical expertise to achieve the best possible results.
Are you ready to explore treatment options for your dry age-related macular degeneration? Schedule an appointment at Loden Vision Centers in Nashville, TN, today!
