As specialists in diagnosing and treating retinal conditions, Retina Consultants, P.C. not only boasts advanced expertise but also leverages sophisticated technologies and capabilities to treat conditions like dry AMD. In fact, our specialists in Hartford, Cromwell, Farmington, Manchester, and Enfield, Connecticut, offer the first non-invasive, FDA-cleared therapy for this sight-stealing disease. Advanced light therapy may slow the progression of this disease.
What is AMD?
Age-related macular degeneration is characterized by blurry or fuzzy vision, problems with reading and recognizing faces, distortion, and dark or empty areas in the center of one’s vision. It is a leading cause of central vision loss, which can have a profound effect on day-to-day living. AMD is caused by damage to the central area of the retina and is classified as either “dry” or “wet.”
How is dry AMD different from wet AMD?
Dry AMD is the more common of the two and involves the accumulation of deposits under the retina, as well as gradual thinning. Wet AMD is generally considered to be more serious due to the potential for severe and rapid vision loss. It occurs when abnormal and leaky blood vessels grow underneath the macula – the part of the retina that supports sharp, central vision (used for fine details, reading, driving).
What is light therapy for dry AMD?
Light-based therapies have been used to treat AMD and other retinal conditions for years. However, treatments such as photodynamic therapy (PDT) are only appropriate for some patients with wet AMD. The FDA authorizes newer light therapy with photobiomodulation (PBM) as a treatment for people with dry AMD.
How does photobiomodulation work for dry AMD?
This form of AMD causes the light-sensitive cells in the retina to erode. By exposing these cells to low-level laser light at specific red and near-infrared wavelengths, photobiomodulation therapy may strengthen and support them, slowing the progression of the disease. So, this breakthrough in the treatment of dry AMD triggers positive cellular-level changes to improve visual acuity and prevent tissue loss (geographic atrophy), permanent blind spots, and vision decline.
What does treatment feel like?
As a non-invasive treatment, no cutting, dilation, or injections are involved. This approach to treatment generally supports a well-tolerated procedure. As with any light-based treatment, there may be a temporary sensation of warmth. This process is not associated with thermal damage or irritation due to PBM’s use of low-level laser energy. It is a gentle way to help your retina heal itself naturally. There are also no lingering after-effects, and we can generally treat one eye in around 10 minutes and both eyes in 15 minutes.
While lasers and other light-based technologies are not new to eye surgeons, PBM is distinctive as a gentle and safe treatment option for dry AMD. To schedule your consultation at Retina Consultants, P.C. and to learn more about whether this treatment may be right for you, call any of our five offices in central, CT today:
Hartford: (860) 527-9020
Cromwell: (860) 788-6569
Farmington: (860) 409-7800
Manchester: (860) 646-7704
Enfield: (860) 741-4300
