If you or someone you love has recently been diagnosed with dry age-related macular degeneration (AMD), you may have walked out of an appointment with a discouraging message: there is no cure, and little to do but monitor the disease and take a few vitamins.
For a long time, that was the reality. Today, there is finally something new to offer. TriCounty Eye Institute is proud to offer the Valeda Light Delivery System, the first and only FDA-authorized therapy shown to improve vision and slow progression in early and intermediate dry AMD.
Valeda treatment is available for patients who want a proactive option that involves no needles, no surgery, and no medication.
Valeda is a non-invasive, in-office light therapy developed specifically for people living with dry AMD.
It uses a technology called photobiomodulation, or PBM, which delivers carefully calibrated wavelengths of light to the cells of the retina. The light is gentle and painless, applied in short sessions while you sit comfortably and look into the device.
After years of clinical study, the FDA authorized Valeda, making it the first device of its kind cleared to treat vision loss in dry AMD. It represents a shift from simply monitoring the disease to actively doing something about it.
The cells of your retina are powered by tiny structures called mitochondria, which act like batteries, producing the energy each cell needs to do its job. In dry AMD, these cells become stressed and energy-depleted over time. The specific wavelengths Valeda delivers are absorbed by the mitochondria and stimulate them to produce more energy, reduce inflammation, and clear away cellular waste more efficiently.
Healthier, better-fueled retinal cells are more resilient and tend to function longer, which is why treatment can both support clearer vision and slow the underlying decline.
Valeda is intended for patients with dry AMD who still have functional central vision but have begun to notice changes. You may be a good candidate if you:
In practice, Valeda tends to help most when treatment begins earlier in the disease.
The only way to know if you qualify is a thorough evaluation. Drs. Schneider and Johnson will review your history, examine your retina, and determine whether Valeda is an appropriate fit for your individual situation.
A standard course of Valeda is a series of nine short sessions spread over three to five weeks, typically about three visits per week.
Each appointment is brief, and the total time commitment is modest compared to many medical treatments. Because dry AMD is a chronic, progressive condition, the benefits are maintained by repeating the series of sessions roughly every four months.
Our team at TriCounty Eye Institute will map out a clear schedule with you so you always know what to expect and when your next round is due.
In the clinical trial that supported FDA authorization, patients treated with Valeda gained an average of about five letters on a standard eye chart, which is roughly one line of vision over two years, compared with patients who received a sham treatment.
A majority of treated eyes saw measurable improvement, and the therapy also reduced progression toward the more advanced, vision-robbing stage of the disease.
That said, Valeda is not a cure, and it cannot reverse damage that has already occurred. Results vary from person to person, and the benefit is best maintained with ongoing treatment, since improvements may fade if therapy is stopped.
The realistic goal is to preserve and modestly improve the vision you rely on for reading, driving, and recognizing faces, and to slow the disease so you keep that vision longer.
Dry AMD deserves the attention of experienced eyes.
At TriCounty Eye Institute, Drs. Schneider and Johnson combine advanced diagnostic technology with a genuinely patient-centered approach, taking the time to explain your condition and your choices. By offering the Valeda Light Delivery System, we are committed to bringing our patients the most meaningful advances in eye care as soon as they become available.
Yes. Across its clinical trials, Valeda demonstrated a strong safety profile with no serious treatment-related side effects reported. Because the therapy is non-invasive and does not rely on drugs or surgery, it avoids many of the risks associated with other treatments.
Drs. Schneider and Johnson will still review your complete eye health to confirm the therapy is right for you.
One of the things patients appreciate most about Valeda is how comfortable it is. There are no injections, no incisions, and no lasers that burn or cut tissue. You simply rest your chin in a support and look toward a soft light for a few minutes per eye. Most people describe it as relaxing. There is no significant recovery period. You can drive yourself home and return to your normal day immediately afterward.
Because Valeda is a newer therapy, insurance coverage is still evolving and varies from plan to plan. Some patients may have partial coverage, while others choose to pay out of pocket for the treatment.
Rather than guessing, we encourage you to contact our office directly or your insurance provider. Our team will walk you through current pricing, any available coverage, and your options so there are no surprises.
If you have dry AMD and want to explore a proactive, non-invasive treatment, we would be glad to help.
Contact TriCounty Eye Institute today to schedule an evaluation with Drs. Schneider or Johnson and take the first step toward protecting the vision you depend on.
