What Is Valeda Treatment? Treatment for Dry Age-Related Macular Degeneration
Valeda Photobiomodulation Treatment for Dry AMD
Valeda® is a light-based photobiomodulation (PBM) therapy used in patients with early to intermediate stages of dry age-related macular degeneration (dry AMD).
The treatment uses specific wavelengths of non-damaging light to support energy production within retinal cells. The aim is to help retinal cells function more effectively, slow the progression of the disease, and, in some patients, improve visual function and quality of vision.
Valeda treatment is non-surgical, needle-free, and painless.
Who May Be Suitable for Valeda Treatment?
Valeda treatment may be particularly suitable for patients with:
- Early-stage dry age-related macular degeneration
- Intermediate-stage dry age-related macular degeneration
- Drusen
- Early deterioration in visual quality before the disease has reached an advanced stage
Patients with advanced dry AMD, such as geographic atrophy, or with wet AMD may not always be suitable candidates. A detailed retinal examination and OCT evaluation are therefore required before treatment.
How Does Valeda Treatment Work?
The purpose of Valeda treatment is not to regenerate or replace damaged retinal tissue.
Photobiomodulation therapy aims to:
- Improve energy production in retinal cells
- Reduce cellular stress
- Support mitochondrial function
- Reduce inflammation
- Support retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells
- Help photoreceptor cells function more effectively
As a result, some patients may experience:
- Improved visual acuity
- Better contrast sensitivity
- Improved reading performance
- Slower progression of the disease
How Is Valeda Treatment Performed?
Valeda treatment is a comfortable, non-invasive procedure.
The patient sits in front of the Valeda device while therapeutic light is applied to the eye.
- No anaesthesia is required.
- No injections are given.
- No surgery is involved.
- No hospital stay is necessary.
- The procedure is painless.
Patients can return to their normal daily activities immediately after each session.
Standard Valeda Treatment Protocol
The internationally established standard Valeda treatment protocol consists of:
- 3 weeks of treatment
- 3 treatment days per week
- A total of 9 sessions
Each treatment session takes approximately 5 minutes.
Accelerated Valeda Treatment
For international patients or patients who are unable to stay in Izmir for an extended period, an accelerated treatment schedule may be considered in suitable cases.
Treatment can be performed every other day, allowing the complete course to be finished within approximately 16 days.
What is the price of Valeda treatment: Treatments are 9 sessions per eye. The price is 1000Euros per eye(for credit card payments add 10%). This price includes all preoperative examinations and tests. So the patients make no extra payments.
What Tests Are Performed Before Valeda Treatment?
A detailed retinal assessment is performed before starting treatment.
Depending on the patient’s condition, investigations may include:
- Comprehensive eye examination
- OCT (Optical Coherence Tomography)
- OCT Angiography, when necessary
- Fundus photography
- Visual acuity testing
What Is the Success Rate of Valeda Treatment?
Results vary because the stage and characteristics of age-related macular degeneration differ from patient to patient.
The main goals of Valeda treatment are to:
- Preserve vision as much as possible
- Support visual function
- Slow the progression of dry AMD
Some patients may experience a noticeable improvement in vision, while in others, maintaining existing vision and slowing further deterioration may be considered a successful outcome.
Are There Any Risks Associated With Valeda Treatment?
Valeda is a non-invasive treatment.
- No injections are required.
- No laser treatment is performed.
- Retinal tissue is not burned or damaged.
- The treatment does not involve radiation.
Valeda is generally considered a safe treatment when used in appropriately selected patients.
How Many Valeda Treatments Are Required?
A standard treatment course consists of 9 sessions.
Depending on the patient’s retinal findings and the progression of the disease, additional treatment courses may be considered in the following months or years.
The need for repeat treatment is determined by the retina specialist during follow-up examinations.
How Much Does Valeda Treatment Cost?
Please contact Kaşkaloğlu Eye Hospital for current Valeda treatment prices.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Valeda treatment painful?
No. The treatment is painless.
Are injections given into the eye?
No. Valeda treatment does not involve injections.
Do I need to stay in hospital?
No. Hospitalisation is not required.
How long does the treatment take?
Each session takes approximately 5 minutes.
Will I notice the results immediately?
Some patients may notice changes within the first few weeks, while for many patients improvements or changes become more apparent over the following months.
Can Valeda completely restore lost vision?
No. Valeda is not intended to regenerate retinal tissue that has already been lost.
The aim of treatment is to support the remaining retinal cells, preserve existing vision, slow disease progression, and improve visual function in suitable patients.
Is the accelerated treatment protocol as effective as the standard protocol?
In appropriately selected patients, it may be. Since the total light dose is maintained, the accelerated protocol can provide an important practical option, particularly for patients travelling from other cities or from abroad.
The retina specialist will decide which treatment schedule is most appropriate after examining the patient.
This content has been medically reviewed and approved by Prof. Dr. Mahmut Kaşkaloğlu.
Bence İngilizce sayfanın başlığı SEO açısından biraz daha güçlü olarak “Valeda Treatment for Dry Age-Related Macular Degeneration (Dry AMD)” yapılabilir. Böylece “Valeda treatment”, “dry AMD” ve “age-related macular degeneration” anahtar kelimelerinin üçü de doğrudan başlıkta yer alır.
