Traditional treatments for dry age-related macular degeneration (AMD) have been limited to AREDS2 supplements, close monitoring, injections, and lifestyle-oriented recommendations. Photobiomodulation therapy (PBM) is reshaping the landscape of treatment for this sight-robbing condition. It is the first light-based, non-invasive therapy of its kind to be FDA-authorized for this form of AMD.
Why have light-based treatments not been recommended for dry AMD until now?
Traditionally, light-based treatments used on the eyes have involved high-intensity laser energy. This energy was used to ablate, or remove and destroy, abnormal vessels and tissues. Such treatment would not be appropriate for conditions like dry AMD. Not only would it kill healthy cells, but it’s also risky due to potential thermal damage and scarring. Additionally, these laser and light-based treatments did not effectively target the underlying causes of dry AMD, and were not designed to repair damaged cells, support healing, and slow the progression of this disease.
What makes PBM an appropriate light-based treatment for dry AMD?
PBM does not use high-intensity laser energy. Rather, it delivers low-level light that is gentle, painless, and free of adverse side effects. Furthermore, this light is therapeutic for individuals with dry AMD specifically. It uses different wavelengths that are ideal for enhancing oxygenation and nutrient delivery while inhibiting inflammation and cell death. PBM doesn’t remove and destroy cells and tissues; it repairs them and heals.
Can PBM be used for wet AMD?
No. Different things cause dry AMD and wet AMD. In turn, their respective treatments are designed to target the specific underlying causes of each condition. Another type of light-based therapy, photodynamic therapy, may be an appropriate option for some patients with wet AMD. This treatment uses a light-activated drug and a special laser to destroy the abnormal blood vessels at the root of wet AMD. Since these blood vessel abnormalities do not cause AMD, it would be an appropriate or safe treatment for dry AMD. With dry AMD, the macula, or central area of the retina, gradually thins, and waste and protein deposits build up under the retina. There is no blood vessel involvement.
Is PBM appropriate for all types of dry AMD?
No. PBM is authorized for use as a treatment in the early to intermediate stages of the disease. This therapy is designed to prevent dry AMD from progressing to wet AMD or geographic atrophy, the advanced stage characterized by tissue loss. Depending on the degree of GA, you may still be a candidate for this treatment; however, insurance coverage will depend on the severity/stage of your disease. For those without insurance coverage, Retina Consultants, P.C. offers treatment at a discounted rate.
PBM in the next generation of dry AMD treatment – no injections, no dilation, no thermal damage, no anesthesia, and no incisions. To schedule your consultation 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
