Photobiomodulation Therapy for Dry AMD
About Age-Related Macular Degeneration
AMD is the leading cause of vision loss in individuals over 65. With age, the retina—the part of the eye responsible for sending visual signals to the brain—can become damaged, resulting in gradual vision loss. There are two forms of AMD: dry and wet. Approximately 90% of patients with AMD have the dry form. Until now, there have been no FDA-authorized treatments for dry AMD aside from nutritional supplementation.
Benefits of Red Light Therapy
Healthy eye cells are essential for maintaining clear vision. In patients with AMD, these cells become impaired and start losing their functionality. Red light therapy utilizes specific wavelengths of red and near-infrared light to stimulate energy production within the retinal cells, improving their ability to function. This treatment has also been shown to reduce inflammation and oxidative stress in the retina. By improving cellular function and minimizing inflammation, red light therapy may help slow the death of retinal cells that leads to vision loss.
What to Expect During Treatment
Red light therapy is a painless and non-invasive treatment that doesn't involve eye injections or pupil dilation. Although it isn't a cure for dry AMD, clinical trials suggest that this treatment can improve vision in patients with early to intermediate stages of dry AMD. The trials also indicate that patients who undergo red light therapy are less likely to develop geographic atrophy, which is the most advanced stage of dry AMD.
The treatment requires a total of nine visits over a three to five-week period, followed by sessions every four months, resulting in a total of 27 visits per year. Suitable candidates for red light therapy include dry AMD patients with best corrected visual acuity ranging from 20/32 to 20/70.
Red Light Therapy Treatment Costs
Red light therapy requires payment up front. The cost is $2,500 for nine treatments for both eyes, or $2,025 for nine treatments for one eye. If you qualify for treatment, we'll collect the full payment, bill your insurance, and provide a refund if your insurance covers the fee.
Patients who don't meet the established research inclusion criteria can still receive treatment. However, it may not be covered by insurance, and there's no clinical data to indicate any benefit.
Schedule an Appointment with Vitreoretinal Consultants
Vitreoretinal Consultants proudly offers photobiomodulation therapy at our Westbury and Riverhead offices. For more information about red light therapy and to see if you qualify for treatment, please schedule an appointment today.