Macular degeneration is often related to aging and is thus often referred to as age-related macular degeneration. It is often abbreviated as AMD or ARMD. Most patients with AMD begin to notice problems sometime after age 50. AMD is the most common cause of legal blindness among people over age 60 in the Western world. The disease occurs in “dry” or “wet” forms. The cause of AMD is still unknown; however, researchers are exploring several theories as to how the disease develops. Most patients have dry type macular degeneration and about 10% progress to wet type.

AMD is a challenging disease for both patient and doctor because there are very few treatment options. For dry type macular degeneration patients are given special vitamin pills. There is a new treatment option for dry type macular degeneration called the Valeda Light Delivery system by LumiThera. Below you can find more information about Valeda treatment  for dry macular degeneration.

 For wet type disease current treatment method is anti-VGEF (Eylea and Lucentis, Avastin) injections.

Some patients benefit from telescopic intraocular implants. Our doctors are among the few most experienced pioneers in the field of telescopic implants in the world.

A new alternative treatment for dry   Age Related Macular Degeneration!

What is Age Related Macular Degeneration?

Age Related Macular Degeneration is the leading cause of blindness in adults over the age of 65. There are two types of Age Related Macular Degeneration : Dry type and
Wet type. Approximately 90% of patients have dry type macular degeneration, which has not been cured so far. For this condition, we offer the first approved treatment that can slow progression and even improve vision.

Symptoms of macular degeneration include:

• Seeing wavy or distorted lines instead of straight lines.

• Seeing a blurry dot (or dots) in the center of your vision.

• Gaps or dark spots that appear in your vision (such as smudges on glasses).

• Being more sensitive to light.

Dry type macular degeneration:

 Dry type macular degeneration is an eye disease that can affect your eyes as you age. In dry type macular degeneration, the natural pigment (RPE) under the middle part of the retina (macula) thins and yellow spots appear. The yellow
dots are called drusen. The combination of fine pigment and drusen is called dry age related Macular Degeneration!

 Dry-type macular degeneration is the most common form of macular degeneration, causing 85% to 90% of cases, developing slowly and eventually leading to loss of central vision. Taking oral carotenoid supplements containing lutein (10mg), zeaxanthin (2mg), and meso-zeaxanthin (10mg) can slow the progression of dry-type macular degeneration by increasing macular pigment levels. Until recently, there was no alternative other than nutritional supplements for dry type macular degeneration. Today, the Valeda system offers an alternative.

A new alternative for dry   Age Related Macular Degeneration!

What is the Valeda™ system?

The Valeda™
Light Transmission System (LDS) was developed by LumiThera. The system is the
first approved treatment for dry-type macular degeneration using photobiomodulation (PBM). PBM has been used for a long time and is used for a number of different diseases, including muscle repair; wound healing; improving muscle performance and many other applications. PMB uses light to stimulate
cells. This improves their function by stimulating the energy production inside the cells.

Who is Valeda treatment suitable for?

Your ophthalmologist will evaluate each patient for their suitability for Valeda. Valeda treatment is used in patients with Dry type macular degeneration with visual impairment. Some promising results have been obtained with the use of
Valeda in the early stages of dry macular degeneration to prevent or delay the progression of dry macular degeneration.

How does it work?

Photobiomodulation therapy, or cold laser therapy as it was previously known, uses wavelengths of red, yellow, and near-infrared light to rejuvenate at the cellular level. Without treatment, Dry type macular degeneration may progress as you get older,
causing vision loss. Studies have shown that Valeda photobiomodulation therapy can improve visual outcomes. In the aging eye, cells can become diseased, causing loss of function and cell death. Valeda works by stimulating the energy
production inside the eye cells and improves their ability to fulfill their role. Healthy cells are essential for good eye health.

What does Valeda treatment include?

You will need to remove your glasses and contact lenses before your treatment. You will not need any special eye drops for this treatment. The treatment involves sitting in front of the Valeda Light Distribution System, similar to when you have your eye examined by the ophthalmologist.

How often do you need to have Valeda treatment?

You will normally need a series of treatments. You will usually have 1 treatment session 3 times a week for 3 weeks. If you miss a session, you can make up for it in 3-4 weeks.

What are the risks or side effects of Valeda treatment?

Valeda therapy is a form of photobiomodulation, which is a low-level light therapy to help cells improve their function. This photobiomodulation technique has been used for other diseases and conditions. Clinical studies have shown that this is a safe procedure. As with any medical treatment, there may be some patients who may not respond or may not be effective.