Valeda® Photobiomodulation (PBM) for Dry Age-Related Macular Degeneration
The Valeda® Light Delivery System is the first and only FDA-authorized treatment for early and intermediate dry age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Authorized by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration on November 4, 2024, Valeda delivers a non-invasive, in-office therapy called photobiomodulation (PBM) — also commonly referred to as red light therapy — that uses precise wavelengths of light to support the health of retinal cells. Clinical trials have shown that Valeda PBM can improve and preserve vision in patients with dry AMD. At Orange County Retina, we are proud to offer this groundbreaking treatment to help patients protect their sight before advanced vision loss occurs.
What is Valeda Photobiomodulation?
Valeda is a light-based therapy that delivers three carefully selected wavelengths of light — amber (590 nm), red (660 nm), and near-infrared (850 nm) — to the eye through Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs). It is important to understand that Valeda is not a laser. The LEDs are very low-powered, do not cause heat damage to the eye, and have been shown to be safe and well-tolerated. The therapeutic process is called photobiomodulation, or PBM, and it has been used safely across many areas of medicine for decades. Valeda is the first device of its kind designed specifically for treating dry AMD and the only one to demonstrate meaningful vision improvement in clinical trials. The device has been used in Europe since 2019, with more than 800,000 treatments performed worldwide.
How Does Valeda PBM Work?
Dry AMD damages the cells of the macula, the central part of the retina responsible for sharp, detailed vision. As these cells become less efficient, vision gradually declines. Valeda PBM works at the cellular level by activating cytochrome c oxidase, an essential component of the mitochondria. This stimulation enhances the production of adenosine triphosphate (ATP), the cell’s primary source of energy, while also improving local oxygenation, encouraging vasodilation, and helping reduce the chronic inflammation that contributes to disease progression. The result is healthier retinal cells better equipped to maintain or recover function.
Who is a Candidate for Valeda Treatment?
The Valeda Light Delivery System is indicated for patients with best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) between 20/32 and 20/70 who have dry AMD characterized by the presence of at least three medium drusen (greater than 63 µm and less than or equal to 125 µm in diameter), large drusen (greater than 125 µm in diameter), or non-central geographic atrophy, and the absence of neovascular (wet) maculopathy or center-involving geographic atrophy. This makes Valeda especially valuable for patients in the early and intermediate stages of dry AMD — a population that historically had no approved treatment options.
Patients should not receive Valeda if they have a known photosensitivity to yellow light, red light, or near-infrared radiation, a history of light-activated central nervous system disorders such as epilepsy or migraine, or if they have used photosensitizing medications within the past 30 days. Your retina specialist at Orange County Retina will determine whether Valeda is the right option for you.
What to Expect During Treatment
Valeda PBM is one of the most patient-friendly treatments in modern retinal care. There are no injections, no anesthesia, no eye dilation, and no speculum. You will simply be seated comfortably at the Valeda Light Delivery System — which looks similar to the devices used for routine vision testing — while your eye care team guides you through each step. Each session takes approximately four minutes per eye (under ten minutes total for both eyes) and is completely painless. A standard course of treatment consists of nine sessions administered three times per week over a three- to five-week period. To maintain the benefits, treatment series are typically repeated every four to six months. There is no recovery time, and most patients return to normal activities immediately.
Proven Clinical Results
The safety and effectiveness of Valeda PBM have been studied extensively in the LIGHTSITE I, II, and III clinical trials. In the pivotal LIGHTSITE III study — a 24-month, multicenter, randomized, sham-controlled trial — patients treated with Valeda gained an average of approximately one line of visual acuity (ETDRS) compared to baseline at both 13 and 21 months, with this benefit maintained at month 24. Approximately 64% of PBM-treated eyes gained at least one line of vision at month 24, compared to baseline. The trial also showed reduced drusen volume and a significantly slower progression to geographic atrophy in treated eyes compared to the sham group. More than 97% of patients reported no pain or discomfort during treatment, and extension trial data (LIGHTSITE IIIB) has demonstrated sustained vision benefits out to 4.5 years with continued treatment.
Why Early Treatment Matters
Until the introduction of Valeda PBM, patients diagnosed with early or intermediate dry AMD had no approved treatment to slow disease progression or improve vision. Treatment was typically delayed until the disease advanced and irreversible vision loss had already occurred. Valeda changes that paradigm. By intervening earlier — before significant damage to the macula develops — patients have the opportunity to maintain better visual function for longer and potentially delay or avoid progression to advanced stages of AMD, including wet (neovascular) AMD or central geographic atrophy. As with most retinal conditions, early detection and proactive care offer the best outcomes.
Insurance and Coverage
Because Valeda Photobiomodulation received FDA authorization in November 2024, it is currently not covered by Medicare, Medicaid, or most private health insurance plans. Patients receiving Valeda treatment at Orange County Retina will be responsible for the cost of treatment out of pocket. Our team will provide a clear, written breakdown of all costs associated with your treatment plan before you begin, so you can make an informed decision.
Schedule a Valeda PBM Consultation in Orange County
If you have been diagnosed with dry age-related macular degeneration, or if you have a family history of AMD and want to learn more about your treatment options, the retina specialists at Orange County Retina can help. We offer Valeda Photobiomodulation as part of our comprehensive approach to retinal care, alongside cutting-edge diagnostics, clinical research, and the latest medical and surgical therapies. Schedule an appointment at one of our Santa Ana, Newport Beach, San Juan Capistrano, Laguna Hills, or Fullerton offices today to find out if Valeda PBM is right for you.
