Photobiomodulation appears to treat dry age-related macular degeneration
When a patient presents to their optometrist with dry age-related macular degeneration (AMD), management is comprised of patient education on lifestyle changes (e.g., smoking cessation, etc.), ocular nutritional supplementation, and monitoring for possible disease progression via imaging technologies. Thanks to the results of a recent study presented at the annual meeting of the American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO), however, ODs may soon be able to offer another intervention: multiwavelength photobiomodulation.
The study is called “LIGHTSITE III: 13-Month Efficacy and Safety Evaluation of Multiwavelength Photobiomodulation in Nonexudative (Dry) Age-Related Macular Degeneration Using the LumiThera, Inc. Valeda Light Delivery System” and was recently published in Retina.
It reveals that dry AMD patients who underwent this treatment three times a week for three weeks and repeated every four months, experienced more than a five-letter improvement in best-corrected visual acuity (VA) and a 73% decrease in new onset geographic atrophy after two years of treatment.
“[Photomodulation is] the first and only non-invasive treatment that appears to be helpful in improving vision and decreasing progression of dry AMD,” said lead investigator David S. Boyer, MD, of Retina-Vitreous Associates Medical Group, in an AAO press release. “It’s promising news for patients who typically experience slow, progressive vision loss year after year.”
He added that the treatment could be used when dry AMD patients notice visual symptoms, and in any dry AMD patient to decrease disease progression.
The study was comprised of 100 patients (148 eyes) with high-risk intermediate AMD who were randomized to receive photobiomodulation or an active sham treatment.
A total of 18% in the sham treatment lost more than five letters of treatment, and 24% experienced disease progression.
The FDA is expected to review the Biologics License Application for the photobiomodulation therapy in December 2024, according to the AAO press release. OM